Skinny models banned in Madrid
2007-02-13 14:18
Madrid - Five models were declared too
thin for the catwalk at this week's international designer show
in Madrid, a doctor in charge of vetting them said on Sunday.
Last year, Madrid's Cibeles became the first high profile
parade to bar models whose ratio of body weight to height was so
low it was deemed an unhealthy example to the public.
"The idea of weighing models who are on show here and making sure they look healthy is so that they do not have a negative
influence by prompting young people to become obsessed by being
thin," doctor Susana Monereo told reporters.
The other 64 models who were checked had enough fat on them
to take part, including one who was banned in September for
being too boney.
"I didn't want to be obsessed with my weight, but I did what
I could and I've achieved it," Maria Campoy, a model who was
rejected last time for having a body mass index of below 18,
told Spanish state television.
Death of Brazilian model
The use of underweight models promoting the ultra-slim look
has dominated much of world fashion since the 1990s, and was
epitomised by British supermodel Kate Moss.
But it has come in for sharp criticism following the death
of Brazilian model Ana Carolina Resto from complications derived
from the slimming disease anorexia.
Following Spain's example last September, Italy and New York
fashion chiefs have debated the issue and Brazil has campaigned
to prevent excessively thin models from appearing.
"I don't like the extremely thin look and I think setting a
limit is a good thing," Roberto Torreta, one of the designers
taking part in the Cibeles show that starts on Monday, told
state television.