France Might Ban Dangerously Thin Models

In 2007, French fashion model Isabelle Caro posed for a shocking anti-anorexia campaign before succumbing to the disease. She died at 28.

Eight years later, France is considering a bill that would bar models who are deemed too thin from runways and fashion spreads. Fashion houses could be fined 75,000 euros ($80,000) and staffers who hire those deemed underweight could potentially be jailed for up to six months.

The couture capital’s government will begin debating the bill Tuesday and Reuters reports it is “likely” to pass.

“It’s important for fashion models to say that they need to eat well and take care of their health, especially for young women who look to the models as an aesthetic ideal,” Health Minister Marisol Touraine told BFM TV on Monday, Reuters reports.

France wouldn’t be the first country to legislate health in fashion. Israel, Spain and Italy all have laws that regulate the use of underweight models. Although the Council of Fashion Designers of America has released various health guidelines for the fashion industry, the government has remained uninvolved.

But what would qualify as “too-thin?”

According to Reuters, models would require medical certificates that prove they have a BMI of 18, which is approximately 121 pounds for a 5’7″ height, in order to book a job.

The bill would also penalize pro-anorexia websites.

In the last year, high fashion has embraced more full-figured models. Continuing legislation could mean unattainable beauty standards might finally be going out of vogue.

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