Italy will create a Code of Good Practice to eliminate unhealthy skinnies from the catwalks

I can't tell you how thrilled I was to hear this news. Finally, the powers to be are creating a bar for the fashion world because enough is enough. The publicity of dying models like Ana Carolina Reston and fashion student Carla Sobrado Casalle is shining more and more light on the out of control beauty distortion of the fashion industry. Italy's government and its fashionista honchos are working on a manifesto or Code of Good Practice to crack down on the use of skeletal looking models, and adolescent models.

In the manifesto, Italy is looking to establish that catwalkers must be over 16 years old, and that models would have a BMI of 18.5 or higher. Of recent, some designers have been using models in their pre/early-teens in order to get an even skinnier and younger look. Ironic that the designers are getting 14 year olds to sell clothes that only most 40 year olds can afford. According to the World Health Organization, those with a BMI under 18.5 are considered underweight. Looking at this another way, if you lived in a Third World country, and had a BMI under 18.5, humanitarian aid would be coming your way.

The best part of this manifesto is that they basically want everyone who works in fashion, the designers, the agencies, the show managers, and the photographers to SIGN the charter. Oh yes! Signing is completely voluntary, but nothing says "You said you would" like a signature. 

For those who refuse to sign or don't want to, well, let's just say that your odds of having your stuff showcased in the Italian shows is going to be hindered. Without Milan and Paris, a designer is D.O.A. so there's nothing like "get with the program" than peer pressure. I'm sure we'll be hearing the naysayers cry BLACKMAIL. But, no quality or intelligent fashionista is going to cry out against this manifesto because nothing but heinous PR can come of it. We'll see those ugly smug roots of yours.

If Italy is leading the way, I have no doubt that we will SOON see the other leading fashion capitals following suit.

[via  Reuters] [pic FabSugar]