Good and Bad PR

A French Step in the Right Direction

by Jill

Last year, the international modeling world was turned on its head as both Madrid and Milan created strict bans on models that do not meet body mass index (BMI) requirements in attempts to combat the growing number of models dying from anorexia and bulimia. Now, France, one of the world’s fashion Mecca’s, has followed suit.

According to MSNBC, a charter was signed this week by French fashion industry experts (including the French Couture Federation, the French Federation for Women’s Pret-a-Porter and the Union of Modeling Agencies), designers, advertising executives and media contacts stating that the country’s modeling industry may not encourage eating disorders or unhealthy lifestyles of any kind. This includes media, who are not allowed to glamorize any image of an unhealthy model.

Later this month, members of French parliament will take center stage in their much-needed attempt to punish those who violate the charter with jail time and fines of thousands of dollars to begin to clean up an industry plagued with negative stereotypes.

With more than 30,000 people in France suffering from eating disorders, one has to ask: How many are suffering worldwide? Why are only a handful of countries willing to take a stand, even if that means that a booming fashion industry must take the backseat to a looming health issue?

Permalink |  Save on del.ico.us

Commenting is closed for this article.