How skinny is too skinny?

It has been a massive issue with the fashion world for a very long time. Designers using super skinny models on the runway and in ad campaigns has caused lots of controversy over the years. It is an opinion that these models are promoting unhealthy role models for the youth of today.

French Socialist Politician, Olivier Veran, is helping to inch France closer to banning super skinny models.   He has branded this trend as 'glorifying anorexia'. He has proposed that models be required to submit health certificates confirming they have a healthy BMI. The punishment for designers who employ those models who do not meet a healthy BMI could receive up to a £60,000 fine or even a 6 month prison sentence.

A number of countries around the world are already imposing similar guidelines. Spain bars models below a certain BMI from participating in runway shows in Madrid, Italy already insists on health certificates and Brazil is considering banning under weight models from its catwalks and Norway is proposing for airbrushed ad campaigns to come with a cigarette style health warning to help tackle eating disorders.

This debate has been on going for many years and until the main fashion cities get on board not a lot will change. If France imposes the proposed changes it will change the face of Paris Fashion Week for ever, which in tern will absolutely filter down to London, New York and Milan.