Concerns over ultra-thin models shifted from the runway to the political stage yesterday, as the Quebec government revealed plans to forge ties with the fashion industry to tackle the issue in the province.
Christine St-Pierre, minister of culture, communications and the status of women, said a plan is in motion to form a committee of 25 to 30 people from different parts of the business to work with the province on drafting a charter addressing the problem of ultra-thin models by next spring.
While the terms haven’t yet been decided, St-Pierre said they’re seeking to have an agreement with the fashion, marketing, publicity and retail sectors of the industry.
“We think that if we work with the fashion business, they will be able to reach young women and reach young women easier than me,” St-Pierre said.
While the problem may not be one solely affecting the fashion business, the minister said the industry can play a role in educating and informing young women. Former models, fashion companies and others involved in the business have already expressed an interest in taking part.
The issue made headlines in the province last fall, when organizers of Montreal Fashion Week issued a statement announcing plans to pull from shows any models who appeared too thin.
Organizers had said they were “making every effort” to make models whose body mass index appears low or could indicate a problem with anorexia be withdrawn from shows, and that those models would be directed to professional help in the areas of nutrition or eating disorders.
The “skinny-model” debate continues to make waves throughout the global fashion industry.
In 2006, at least two models died from complications linked to eating disorders, which prompted some in Europe to try banning skinny models from the runway.
In February 2007, organizers of a top fashion show in Spain rejected five out of 69 fashion models as being too thin.
At the recent New York Fashion Week, models were up to sizes 2 and 4, not 0, according to the chair of a fashion designers health initiative.
