Last year France passed a law that sought to crack down on eating disorders in the country. As part of President Francois Hollande’s more widespread campaign — which also included clamping down on pro-ana websites — fashion models ere required to provide a medical certificate proving that they have a BMI of at least 18 before they can be hired for a job. Refusal to comply with the new law could get agencies and other employers slapped with a fine of up to $82,000 and a prison sentence of up to six months.
California has been taking notes, and has now proposed a very similar law. Models would have to prove that they were of a healthy weight and not suffering from an eating disorder. This would involve periodic health check-ups, nutrition consultations, and medical testing. Agencies would have to be licensed by the California Labor Commissioner, and would face financial repercussions if they were found to be hiring models who hadn’t passed the required tests.
“The evidence of eating disorders in the modeling industry is alarming,” Levine said in a statement yesterday. Nikki DuBose, a former model turned mental health advocate, added. “As a former fashion model and an eating disorder survivor, I know that this legislation is critically needed.” Both Levine and DuBose stress that the bill also seeks to protect impressionable young who consume fashion media and magazines.
France’s extreme measure earned Hollande a fair amount of criticism when it was passed last April. The French National Union of Modeling Agencies was just one body that slammed the bill for equating thinness with eating disorders. “It’s important that the models are healthy,” said union head Isabelle Saint-Felix, “but it’s a little simplistic to think there won’t be any more anorexics if we get rid of very thin models.” Levine did not specify whether BMI score would also be the official measure of health in California, but if it were, there’s the added issue of it being a rather outdated tool. With models and the general public taking an increasing intolerance stance on size-shaming, perhaps it’s a sign we need a wider spectrum of visible bodies rather than a narrower one. And, on a related note, a wider range of sample sizes. Still, at least attention is being given to the issue. Watch this space.
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Text Hannah Ongley