Skinny model controversy (monstersandcritics.com)
To be honest, I didn't expect this from Europe. I would have thought that of all places, America would be the first to legislate the figure of fashion models, but Europe is nothing if not disappointing.
Last week, fashion officials in Spain banned a number of models from appearing in a show that would start today in Madrid. These five models, out of a prospective group of 68, were deemed too thin according to standards set by the World Health Organization. The standard is set at a BMI of 18, which means any model of five feet eight inches must weigh over 120 lbs.
To make matters worse, the Brits, pasty, chubby, green-toothed eaters of fried toast, immediately jumped on board, and are considering making these Spanish regulations a part of their law. Italian, German, and Finnish officials are said to have folowed suit.
I'm not much of a flag-waver, to put it mildly, but it is at times like these when I really appreciate the crumbling remnants of US constitutional law, which indicates that discrimination based on the weight of an individual is illegal.
It is, of course, hyperbole to say that these new strictures will be devastating to the fashion industry. Five out of nearly seventy is not a very great percentage, so clearly most models are managing to make the cut. Should these grossly paternalistic edicts have ruined the chances of such icons as Kate Moss or Gemma Ward, well, it doesn't bear to think on.
If such legislation does pass muster in America, however, I can assure you that I will be leading a class-action lawsuit to ban all "full-figure" modeling, as it reinforces a false belief that obesity is healthy. But really, does it have to come that?
In the interest of full disclosure, the author has provided advice to pro-ana forums on weight-loss and other nutritional tricks, while simultaneously encouraging people of considerable weight to feel good about themselves. The author supports the rights of individuals to weigh whatever they like, and to likewise feel good about their weight regardless of thinness or corpulence. As long as the latter do not try to sit next to him on the bus or at movie theatres.
1 comment:
The folks at the Madrid show I haven't got a problem with, because they're simply in effect saying "Look, there's a certain sort of model we think fits this show the best, and only those may participate," though it seems a little silly and arbitrary.
But as for passing that shit into law -- ye gods! That must ONLY be allowed if also those whose BMI is over 25 are IMMEDIATELY remanded to the care of the state for emergency countermeasures
They once had debtor's prisons, but inmantes could never get out as they had to GAIN something, of course impossible in prison.
Obese-prisons would be simple -- lose the weight, leave jail.
It's clear that obesity is a much higher health risk than underweightness. So get it straight, folks.
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