The fashion houses of Christian Dior and Gucci have decided to eliminate very underweight models from participating in their catwalk shows. Their parent companies such as LVMH and Kering made this decision based on constant criticism that has constantly been levied against them claiming that, they are part of the reason why the fashion industry encourages eating disorders.
LVMH and Kering have established a law that states that. Models must be bigger than a French size 32. A French size 32 is the equivalent of a British size six or an American size zero. They have also decided that going forward, they would not use models under 16 for adult clothes.
Brands such as Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Marc Jacobs, Thomas Pink, Fendi and Stella McCartney. In May of this year, Danish model, Ulrikke Hoyer made a complaint against LVMH, insisting that she had been maltreated by the fashion giant. She stated that she was forced to starve herself in order to be accepted for the Louis Vuitton fashion shows. The casting director Ulrikke directly complained against, has denied her claims.
Chief executive for YMCA England & Wales, Denise Hatton who is also a co – founder of the Be Real Campaign for Body Confidence supports LVMH`s plan to change the formerly accepted “waif look”. Denise disclosed that, while some people may be naturally thin, the normal dress size for women in England is size 16. She encouraged the fashion house to give job opportunities to different ethnicities and people of various shapes and sizes.
Once the law prohibiting ultra – thin models was passed in May 2017, French authorities established fines in excess of $92,000.00 and a jail term for those who would blatantly disregard the law. They also require a doctor`s note from each model. This proves that, the model is capable and fit to work.
Fashion insiders claim that women have been battling eating disorders for decades outside of the demands of the fashion industry. They did agree that whatever plagued people with eating disorders and body image issues, was eventually exacerbated by the riguers of the fashion industry.
