London Changes Its Mind, Hearts Size Zero

Aug 18, 2008 @ 12:39pm

UK Backs Off Its Anti-Ana Runway Stance Fashionista loves London Fashion Week, maybe more than anything else except ice cream, but this recent news blows:

Last week, LFW rescinded its pledge to reject Size Zero models from its catwalks after Milan, Paris, and New York refused to do the same.

It's true that all designers should be free to follow their own visions, including their own muses and models, but it's still disappointing that the first major step from the industry to set concrete guidelines for healthy bodies has fallen through. Yeah, some girls are healthy at a size zero, blah blah, but um... no.

Hopefully, London designers will pick healthy and beautiful girls for their catwalks regardless - and since we're already hearing rumblings of the coltish Tanya D. packing her Vuittons and heading to the UK runways, it seems like a pretty good bet.

Bonne chance to London designers, and hey - we don't want to see any ribs and spines, unless they're on an Alexander McQueen suitcase, okay?

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2008 12:56PM

lily donaldson is disgusting

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2008 1:24PM

Ok Fashionista, I love you guys. I really do. But I have to call you out on this one. How can you seriously criticize designers for using super skinny models when I constantly see you guys posting editorials and proclaiming your love for those very same girls. Maybe designers are promoting a unhealthy body image. But, if that's true then so are you.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2008 2:02PM

Actually, there are plenty of healthy girls who are size zero...I'm a size zero and have normal weight BMI.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2008 2:19PM

Guest 3, size 0 and 6 feet tall would not equate to a normal BMI.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2008 2:35PM

Being a size zero does NOT mean you are not healthy. I'm 25 and a size zero with a below average BMI and would consider my eating habits very healthy. I work out and pick my foods wisely. So stop with the size 0 = unhealthy because that is not always true.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2008 2:36PM

Dear Fashionista,

I'm a size zero...BMI of 15.3, and I just wolfed down a chili cheese dog, curly fries & a dr. pepper. It's possible. Yes, rare, but possible. Banning size 0s sucks. Please don't "blah blah, but um... no" me.

Thanks.

posted by Natalie Hormilla

Aug 18, 2008 2:49PM

please calm down - Fashionista knows that you can be a healthy size 0 as there are a couple of those here, too. but models who are 5'10'' and a size 0? THAT'S the question...

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2008 3:01PM

Yeah, I have to agree with Natalie/Fashionista. I'm a tallish girl (5'8") and very healthy/thin. I'm a size 4, with a slightly below average BMI. A true size 0 on a tall girl is cause for concern. The only little whatever I'll throw in to that, is are you using your real size. For example, a size o at the Gap does not a true size 0 make.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2008 3:02PM

Oh, and also - I think it's sucks they are lifting the ban, though it is a bit predictable

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2008 6:30PM

Thank you Guest 8! Sizes are not true in most stores. I am 5'7 and wear a size 2 at the Gap, but I am a healthy girl and I would definitely consider myself more of a 4. I wish sizes were better regulated :-/ and that people did not put an emphasis on them.

posted by hannah

Aug 18, 2008 7:22PM

A size zero can certainly be healthy—if you're under 5'8", which is generally the lowest model height. Maybe there are a few natural (I actually know one) size zeroes over this height, but many size zero models probably have eating disorders. Wouldn't it be better for the naturally size zero models to have to try and gain some weight to be a size 2 than for models with eating disorders to be allowed to walk the runways? Ugh, the modeling industry is so messed up... there's pressure to be unbelievably skinny as well as blatant racism.

posted by Jac

Aug 18, 2008 7:56PM

"im so skinny and im healthy, im so hurt by your comments that i feel the need to point out that i am skinny on a comments section!!" SHUTUP. I hate hate hate when skinny girls complain about how theyre being judged. At the end of the day, you're still something millions of americans would kill to be so do us all a favor because i guarantee no one cares what size you, anonymous commenter, wear.

posted by guest

Aug 18, 2008 8:25PM

ok. We get it. Models are skinny. Please just get over it.

posted by guest

Aug 19, 2008 11:11AM

Jac sounds bitter.
Jac sounds jealous.

posted by guest

Aug 19, 2008 1:19PM

being size 0 can be healthy in some instances, such as if you're short, but if you're 5'10", there's a problem. those models should definitely be banned from the runway.

posted by HiFashionLvr

Aug 19, 2008 3:29PM

i dont neccessarily believe that skinny models should be banned, but i dont believe that they should be what's expected. i mean, back when Twiggy broke into the industry, her small frame was not common. now we consider a size 8 a plus size model?! thats insane.

posted by guest

Aug 19, 2008 7:36PM

as a (very healthy) size zero myself, it disgusts me that they would think of banning people from the runway based on dress size. if the message you are trying to send is to embrace healthy, normal body sizes/types, or to prevent the fashion industry from dicating the diets and goals of non-model women, then banning a (healthy) size zero is just as hypocritical as banning a size 12. if you want to make sure the models are healthy, bravo! but get them a physical, not a measuring tape. forcing peple to gain weight is just as wrong as forcing them to lose it.

posted by guest

Aug 19, 2008 10:30PM

it's not really a what number a size is,it's the measurements that go with the size.I've been watching sizes change for about 10 years. the idea of size 0 used to be a joke but i guess we'll be in the negatives before we know it.