Model looks a weighty issue

ALEXA CORNELIUS/George Washington

By Emily Hamsher
Capital High School

At the beginning of her career, a 5’7” and 100 pound Kate Moss rocked the fashion runways with her waiflike “heroin chic” appearance. More than 10 years later, the ultra thin “fad” that Moss helped to usher in has yet to disappear, as celebrities and supermodels around the world strive for an unhealthy physical appearance.

However, it appears as if the trend may be slowly beginning to fade after the high fashion communities of Italy and Spain banned underage models and issued height-to-weight restrictions earlier this year.

The regulations were finally made after 21-year-old Brazilian Ana Carolina Reston, was, in a matter of months, the second high profile model to die of complications related to anorexia nervosa. At the time of her death in November, the 5’8” Reston is reported to have weighed a startling 88 pounds.

The recent guidelines enforced by Spain were based on a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9, a complicated height-to-weight ratio dictating that a 5’ 9” woman should weigh at least 125 pounds. BMI numbers in this range are considered normal weight; the World Health Organization defines a BMI below 18.5 as “underweight.”

Milan followed in Madrid’s footsteps by enforcing similar weight requirements, as well as banning models under the age of 16.

Unfortunately, the United States’ high-profile New York Fashion Week, which took place in February, did not feel it necessary to set forth such restrictions. The Council of Fashion Designers of America encouraged designers to discourage the use of models under the age of 16, provide rest breaks and “healthy snacks” backstage, as well as recommending that smoking and drinking be banned from the backstage area. However, the health initiative was non-binding, offering no consequences for breaking the stated guidelines.

How does this super skinny mindset affect the physical perceptions of Americans — particularly, teenage girls?

Capital High School senior Danielle Lloyd, a Charleston Town Center Teen Board model, believes that the United States is stubborn in it’s portrayal of physical attractiveness. “America probably puts the most pressure on girls to be thin,” she said.

Lloyd enjoys modeling for the Town Center because they include models of every shape and size, and she believes this gives other young women confidence in themselves.

“It really makes me feel more confident to look around and realize not every amazing girl out there is a size 0. Because of this diversity, I have never felt uncomfortable modeling for the mall,” she said. “This compares to fashion magazines and runway, too. If more girls of every size were shown, it would definitely help girls in the United States see the reality of real body types.”

So will America ever take the step towards ending the vicious cycle of ultra-thin models and celebrities? Or will world-famous retired supermodel Tyra Banks continue to be bashed in the media for her curvaceous 161 pound figure while “The Simple Life” celebrities Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie continue to be idolized by young girls?

Many critics believe it will take the death of an American model to finally change minds in our country. However, until the change finally occurs, young women nationally will feel the pressure to stay thin at any cost. Lloyd explained the trend succinctly, “If that’s all we as teenage girls see, what else do we have to go by?”