BY ELIZABETH VALENTIN
Major fashion companies Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE, LVMH, and Kerning are banning models under sixteen years of age and under a size two for women, and a size thirty four for men. These companies own brands that include Christian Dior, Gucci, and Marc Jacobs.
This ban is based on the charter of working relations of fashion models and their well-being. It is insinuated that people who are below a size two are more likely to be suffering from an eating disorder or self-esteem problem. In addition, a skinny model policy was put into place in 2015, which requires models below a certain size to provide a doctor’s note that proves that they are in good health and do not have an eating disorder.
Following this announcement, there have been differing opinions on the matter. Some people believe that this is a positive step for fashion, as young people may feel less inclined to go through extreme measures to obtain an unattainable body size. However, this change in fashion week is not a positive one, it is only a blanket to cover the true problem.
By banning models below a size two, young girls who are naturally thin and fall between sizes double zero and one, may begin to feel as though their bodies are no longer beautiful. This may, in turn, result in unhealthy amounts of binge eating, which is also an eating disorder, as an attempt for these girls to reach the size that they now feel is desirable. In addition, by suggesting that girls who do fall below a size two are likely to have an eating or psychological disorder, may cause them to believe that there is something innately wrong with them because of their size.
This ban also does not guarantee that these companies will be inclusive of models that fall above a size two or a size four. It is likely that they will continue to include only models in that size range, which still neglects people who are above a size two.
The average size for a woman in America is a size sixteen. However, plus sizes begin at a size twelve. This is a clear indication that fashion companies do not paint a representative portrayal of what society looks like in America.
With the high levels of conversation regarding body positivity and including plus size models, these companies are saying “We hear you” when they banned models below a size two. However, this is merely a distraction and not an actual solution to the problem at large.
Fashion companies must be completely inclusive to all body types in order for there to be more positive feelings towards one’s own body. Sizes must start at a size double zero, as there are women in society who are that size and are healthy. In addition, there must also be representation of women who are above the plus size threshold.
Body positivity does not end in clothing size. In order to promote body positivity, fashion companies must work to paint a realistic image of what society looks like. People come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and all of these factors must be taken into account.
