Extremely thin models, ban by law in France
Unhealthily thin fashion models are no longer allowed on catwalks in France, due to a law which has come into effect.
In order to parade down the stages, models will need to provide a doctor’s certificate attesting to their overall physical health, with special regard to their body mass index (BMI) – a measure of weight in relation to height, BBC reports.
Although there is no minimum BMI for models, specified by the law, as a previous version of the bill had suggested – prompting protests from modelling agencies in France – doctors will have to decide whether a model is too thin by taking into account their weight, age, and body shape.
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Also, starting from 1 October, digitally altered photos will have to be labelled. Thus, the images where a model’s appearance has been manipulated will need to be marked “photographie retouchée”, meaning retouched photograph.
“Exposing young people to normative and unrealistic images of bodies leads to a sense of self-depreciation and poor self-esteem that can impact health-related behaviour,” said France’s Minister of Social Affairs and Health, Marisol Touraine, in a statement on Friday.
The fines which will be applied to employers breaking the law rise up to 75,000 euros (£63,500; $82,000). Also, they could end up to six months in jail.
Italy, Spain and Israel have also legislate on underweight models.
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