London plan to ban ‘size zero’ models abandoned

LONDON: The plan, which had strong Government backing, would have seen all models seeking to work in the UK forced to pay up to £500 for health certificates proving they were in good health.

It has been shelved over claims of discrimination fears it could prevent models from working in this country, and a lack of support within the industry and from other fashion hotspots such as New York and Milan.

There were also concerns that London Fashion Week could take a financial hit if models and designers avoided the event because of the certificate rules.

In an open letter to members of the fashion industry, Hilary Riva, chief executive, British Fashion Council (BFC), which organises London Fashion Week, said that other measures to improve models’ health would continue. These include ensuring a healthy, alcohol and drug free backstage environment, and putting in place an international code of conduct on the booking and treatment of models.

However, the most controversial of the recommendations by the Model Health Inquiry, set up last year following the death of two anorexic Paraguayan models, was the introduction of health certificates.

The Chambre Syndicale, Paris said health certificates lay outside its remit, while the Camera Nazionale della Moda in Milan said

self-regulation would be better and the US Council of Fashion Designers raised concerns about whether stringent working practices allowed it.