Posts with tag EatingDisorders

This is a model from the Cia Maritima runway show at Sao Paulo Fashion Week. Next to this nearly anorexic figure, we suppose anyone would look fat.

Because while the fashion industry claims to have realized the error of its ways -- denouncing ultra-skinny models, and learning to love the "real women" of the world -- it turns out those revelations must have been a passing fancy. Karolina Kurkova, a Victoria's Secret model, appeared in the same show, and response has been scathing -- just because of a little cellulite.

Amid growing concern over eating disorders within the fashion industry, it's now been revealed that Allegra Beck Versace, the 20-year-old daughter of Donatella Versace, is anorexic. The news was released in the hopes of clarifying some of the rumors circulating throughout the media -- including that she was under 24-hour supervision in a medical and psychiatric facility.

In fact, a spokesman says that Allegra is living at home in the United States, where she's currently a student.

Fortunately, according to her parents, "She is receiving the best medical care possible to help overcome this illness and is responding well."

While this news isn't surprising, some say neither is the fact that Allegra is anorexic in the first place. Growing up in the fashion industry -- in particular in the highly image-conscious Versace household -- did the fashion heiress ever stand a chance?

Two weeks ago, the CFDA announced a new set of guidelines to discourage eating disorders in the fashion industry. Wimpy at best, grossly inadequate at worst, CFDA's regulations seemed to tread almost too lightly on the controversial relationship between fashion and public health.

Across the pond in Spain, the game plan for curbing the tide of eating disorders is much more aggressive. On Tuesday, the government, the textile industry and a group of prominent fashion designers released a comprehensive agreement to promote healthy bodies and body images. According to the new agreement, size 46 (U.S. equivalent size 14) clothes will no longer be considered plus-sized. Models in Spain will also be required to wear at least a size 36 (US size 4) in order to participate in runway shows.

The only thing that seems a little unclear about these regulations is how the rules will be practically enforced. Will there be officials from a governing body? Is it self-regulation?

Other than that, however, I think this is a step in the right direction. You'd be hard pressed to find a model on the runway that is any bigger than a size 34, so if the sample sizes grow to size 36, presumably the models will eventually follow suit. If the designers are on board with the agreement, I don't think there is any reason to suspect that this won't be a successful measure.

On the Today Show this morning, representatives from the CFDA announced new industry-wide guidelines for models. The decision to make these regulations was spurred by last season's controversial crackdown on underweight, unhealthy cat walkers in Europe. While the American guidelines are not technically rules, the CFDA says they are the first attempt towards responsible self-regulation in the fashion industry. The CFDA says that it can't fully assume the responsibility for something as complex as eating disorders, but they do hope to begin campaign of awareness with these new standards.

The new guidelines include:

• educate models, parents, designers and agencies on the early warning signs of eating disorders
• models must seek help if they have an eating disorder
• those with eating disorders cannot model without a doctor's approval
• supplying healthy meals, nutrition and fitness education backstage and on shoots

Well, there you have it. The fashion industry decides they need to take action and what do they do? They come up with the flimsiest set of regulations imaginable, all of which are voluntary and none of which have any enforceability.

I mean come on -- fitness and nutrition education? I'm so sure that a bunch of underage girls who barely understand English are going to pay attention to some nutritionist when they have the option of doing a line of blow in the bathroom or popping a handful of amphetamines with their diet coke.

Way to bunt it, CFDA!