Festival sidesteps skinny model debate
Health Minister Bronwen Pike has publicly slammed the promotion of extreme thinness by those in the fashion industry, saying size zero models are not a true reflection of the general public. Her calls came as the government warns teenagers of the dangers of fad diets.
"The fashion industry has a clear responsibility not to promote extreme thinness," Pike was quoted as saying.
Her calls come as one of London's leading modelling agencies takes the unprecedented step of insisting on health checks for all its models.
Select, which represents models including Rachel Hunter and Camilla Rutherford, has had all 400 models on its books assessed by doctors and received documents certifying they are fit to work. The move - the first by a UK agency, will ultimately put pressure on Australian modelling agencies to ensure models with a body mass index under 18.5 don't make it to the catwalk.
And while the decision to ban super-thin models can only be made by L'Oreal festival organisers, Pike's comments have turned the spotlight away from the high fashion and glamour that organisers have worked so hard to promote in the lead-up to the festival.
Pike said small-sized models did not send a good message to young women.
"The type of dieting involved to create that body shape is not encouraging a healthy lifestyle. Encouraging extreme thinness can have potential long-term damage because young girls can become obsessed," Pike said.
But Karen Webster, L'Oreal festival director, wouldn't be drawn on the government's demands, refusing to comment on whether or not rail-thin models will face the chopping block this year.
"The (festival) will be the first major Australian fashion event to take place since discussions within the global fashion industry have focused international attention to an appropriate Body Mass Index (BMI) for professional models," Webster said.
"LMFF takes a positive stance on fashion, and supports aspiring models who are healthy," she said.