The size 0 girls by Laura Louise Frampton

 

 

 

 The debate was sparked by the death of Luisel Ramos, a promising young model from South America. Who, under the impression that loosing weight equals supermodel stardom, took the unnecessary steps to excessive dieting. A drastic measure, which lead to her heart attack, moments after stepping off the runway at Uruguay’s Fashion Week. A shock wave was sent across the world, leaving the fashion industry at the brunt of accusations.

 

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 In a struggle for social acceptance, young women everywhere are turning down the road of eating disorders. Anorexia, bulimia and excessive dieting have increased immensely throughout the world. The main culprit is LA, where the size 0 trend has evolved into a way of life.  As a society we are surrounded by the image of extremely skinny people and fooled into thinking this is not only acceptable but beautiful?

 

 

 With size 0 being such a hot topic, Madrid City Council, organizers of the Madrid Fashion Week, had no choice but to enforce a ban on skinny models. Their aim was to promote and develop a healthy body image by measuring the body mass index (BMI) of each participant. In theory models are only healthy if they possess a BMI of at least 18. However, this would conclude that supermodel Kate Moss would be ruled out at such an event. This decision caused press mayhem days before the launch of London Fashion Week in September.

 

 

 The importance of projecting an image of health should be a priority to organizers alike. However the British Fashion Council (BFC) refused to follow lead, stating that they cannot tell designers how to run their shows. An opinion that clearly favours profit over principles. However the British government wants to impose height and weight restrictions in the UK, causing funding bodies like the London Development Agency to consider withdrawing funds from LFW unless they comply. We are all aware that once something becomes a trend its fashionable to follow suite – the fight against size 0 models has become just that. 1960’s icon Twiggy and designer Giorgio Armani have both headlined the media with their views for the ban. Leaving British fashion with no choice but to change accordingly.

 

 

 So, Europe is taking charge with the battle against our shrinking models, but when will America join the fight? A country that ironically houses the fattest nation shares its states with some of the skinniest models on the circuit. With an obsession of glamour and beauty, fashion is used to promote and inspire new creations such as films. The Oscars have become the biggest catwalk on the globe, causing a battle between stars and designers to become the best caption of the night. However with such publicity around the dresses rather than the dressed – its no wonder women are taking drastic measures to be noticed.

 

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 But why is the focus only on females?? Designers have expressed their need for female models to be tall and slim in order for the clothes to ‘hang’ properly. But why don’t they demand the same standards from male models? Males promote a fuller figure, a healthier body image, where toned torsos over rule bony ribcages. I think this is due to the way we view each other, women always dream of being slim and will do almost anything to achieve it yet they demand a muscular man to protect them from the world. And vice versa – men like to appear dominant rather than puny.

 

 

 However with the increased media exposure, we should be able to conquer the personal and worldwide opinions of each other. Jean-Paul Gaultier proved beauty is universal at his recent 30^th Anniversary show in Paris. Where he used a fuller figured New Yorker model (known as Velvet) to advertise his latest designs. He thinks all women are beautiful and aims to challenge society’s beauty stereotype. It has been said that fashion reflects what happens in society it is not the cause. Therefore in conclusion, it is us, the people’s people that need to make the change. Once we accept each other for who we are – the fashion world can do the same.

 

 

By Laura Louise Frampton

frampton_laura@yahoo.com