Hi Angie,

I actually have a very strong opinion about this. I dislike seeing skinny models prancing down the catwalks; I think they look disgusting, and I feel bad for them (my cousin is a model, and I know it is a difficult business). But I don’t think regulation is the way to go, for several reasons.

I understand that thin models can cause young girls to starve themselves, but a very small percentage of girls (I think less than 1%) actually suffer from anorexia. More girls are overweight, and I think that is a pressing problem. Furthermore, the larger problem comes from the influence of older women in girls’ lives. Most young girls are naturally thin, but when they grow up in households and hear their role models (mothers, aunts, sisters, etc…) constantly criticize their bodies and try to change their shape, they are bound to have those same feelings. Would a 9 year-old diet if no one had planted that idea in her head in the first place? No, of course not. Encouraging women to stop dieting and worrying about their body so much (or at the very least stop talking about it) would be more effective.

Second, I don’t believe young girls really have as much access to those super-thin models on the catwalks. I don’t think those models are doing any damage because those aren’t the role models for young girls. Instead, girls are reading about Britney, Nicole, Paris, other actresses, and more famous models–there are only a few these days. I doubt that the few catwalk photos they see really have as disastrous effect as people pushing these regulations lead us to believe.

Furthermore, while many of these models no doubt have problems, we seem to forget that they are very young women, almost girls. And looking at my healthy teenage cousins, I realize that these girls are to an extent naturally thin. I’m sure many smoke, do drugs, and eat little, but even if they did eat, they might still be below a BMI of 18. They might be 16 or 17 instead of 14 or 15, but still too thin to do their job. One of my young cousins, for example, is 5′7″ and about 100 pounds. She is in high school, in sports, and eats like you wouldn’t believe.

I also think that the decision it is fundamentally discriminatory. We would scream discrimination if the discussion was about making overweight people lose weight in order to keep their jobs. But somehow it is ok if the women are thin. The fact is, it is easier to be overweight than thin in an industrial society, and for those who have difficulties losing weight, it is easy to assume thin women have an eating problem (and as a thin woman who eats, myself, I get this more than you would believe–I’m so tired of people analyzing what I eat every time I go out to dinner). I wouldn’t want our society to discriminate against fat people; I certainly don’t want to discriminate against thin people.

I am naturally very slim, but don’t suffer from an eating disorder. I don’t think the models or the fashion industry are intentionally promoting bad health. By default, slimmer models were chosen, probably because they showed off the designers’ clothes better. And some models in the industry have fallen victim to that preference, as have young girls who idolize the models.

However, eating disorders and unhealthy lifestyles can only be fostered if the young girls (and guys) aren’t given a strong base and character to know what is best for them, instead of being led to believe that being thin and beautiful will bring them happiness.

Yes, models can be too thin. I am a thin woman and a mom of both a girl and a boy and I do my best to emphasize healthy habits (moderation and exercise). I do not allow my 6 year old girl to look at women’s magazines because I do not want her to think that looking emaciated is what she should aspire to. I want her to love her body and accept it for the beautiful thing that it is. While some models may suffer from an eating disorder/drug addiction/smoke,etc. I am sure there are other models that are just naturally thin. I am thinking that those models that are naturally thin look the healthiest and therefore would most likely be allowed to continue their walk down the runway. It’s the other models that need help and I hope the industry takes care of them so they can become healthy representatives of the fashion world.

I agree with much of what’s been said here already.

I believe that the biggest problem young girls face is not eating disorders, but body image problems. I think the best gift we can give to our daughters is to show them that we are confident in our own bodies. Having struggled with being too thin in the past, this has been a bit tricky for me, but I’ve found an “outside-in” approach has done wonders for my mental well being. I never criticize the way I look (at least out loud). I too keep fashion magazines out of the house. I also keep out full length mirrors and scales. We never say the “f” word (fat) in our house, and never point out or speak disparagingly about people of size. The few times my daughter has asked me about people she’s seen in the street or the pool, I say, “People come in all sizes, shapes, and colors.” She seems pretty satisfied with that for now.

I have no particular problems with very thin runway models as long as they are healthy. But I wonder if designers have ever asked themselves, “Why do I think that tall and thin is beautiful? Could I design a line of clothing for women on the catwalk who are 5′3″ and weigh 130 pounds (the average woman in America), and still be happy with my designs?”

I think that would be a design feat that would have the world applauding!

Right on Meredith!

Maybe the question should be: are ALL body types fairly, equally and beautifully represented in the fashion world?

While some are making strides to add full figures in their advertising, this population is woefully under represented in the industry. What body type is dominate? I read only 6% or less of the population is model size. Maybe the industry needs to focus on creating beautiful fashions for the other 94%.

I have dreamed of a body revolution where women of all sizes proudly display their weight and height. LET’S GET REAL!

I love the idea of all body sizes and shapes being fairly represented on the catwalk – it would certainly help those of us who are NOT model-thin visualize looks and styles on our own bodies a bit better. One thing this world does NOT need is more regulation – ugghhh!

Young women today face so much pressure – to be thin, to be athletic, to be beautiful, to be smart, to be hard-working – it is hard to be perfect! I have one daughter who is ultra-thin and one daughter who is a “pretty pear” as Angie would say! I have always told my younger, rounder daughter that “Bodies come in all sizes and shapes. What matters is that you eat healthy foods, reasonable portions, and exercise every day.” We all need to be loved and accepted exactly as we are – not as Madison Avenue would like us to be.

Meredith, everything you said was wonderful. I hope that if my husband and I decide to have children, we can teach them the same.

Why does the fashion industry hire tall and super-thin models? Angie probably knows better than most, but I’ve heard two good theories. First, the designers want to display their clothes, not have their clothes overshadowed by beauty. They want walking sticks to best show the drape of the clothing. They are not particularly interested in showing how it will look on regular women at that point. It’s unfortunate that many stars, stylists, socialites, and everyday women believe that we have to look like the models to wear the clothes.

The second theory I’ve heard is not the most PC–most fashion designers are gay men; most models look like young men. Now, I’m not sure if that’s true or not, but it’s something to think about. Thought I’d throw it out there.

[...] Today’s models are different. They are still stereotypically beautiful (and arguably too thin), just younger, more doll-like, less expensive to hire and less personality on the runway. Most of this new breed of model is Eastern European or Russian and they all look the same: perfectly symmetrical faces, deeply set wide eyes, strong jaw lines, pointy noses and pouty lips. They are usually between the ages of 16 and 20 and march on and off runways like robots. The “ attitude” is deliberately no longer there. [...]

[...] Here’s another relevant piece of information regarding the skinny model controversy (see “Can fashion models be too thin?“) – a set of recommendations released earlier this year by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA): Keep models under 16 off the runway and don’t allow models under 18 to work at fittings or photo shoots past midnight. [...]

[...] step follows Spain’s leadership in banning ultra-thin models from the Madrid catwalks a year ago. And that that isn’t the end of it… The government has also extracted a [...]

yeah they can !!!

talking about this skinny models and their hight..how about some of us who wants to be a model and have no chance,becos we are not tall enough.. its not fair in anyway..i think they should me different types of model and off all kinds. for example..hight and body.whats is wrong if somebody of 164cm be a model????we need some chance and not treat us like we dont have what it takes…

[...] but it’s how you’re going to wear the item that counts. These days the posts are sometimes more serious and sometimes less serious than they were in the [...]

My niece models and she is very thin. What surprised me is that she was told she can not gain any weight. She models for a large agency and you could blow this kid over with a slight breeze. There is much pressure for these girls to stay stick thin if they want to work. What scares me is that in her effort to continue working she may be damaging her health. Personally I do not like today’s models. They do not represent real people. They are more like little paper dolls you cut out. Designers need to get real and put some curves back on the runway.