Israel Bans Too-Skinny Models, and the CFDA Responds

By Lindsey Schickner 01/02/13 at 04:00 PM

Photo: Getty Images

A model on the runway during Tel Aviv Fashion Week on December 19, 2012.

It's a weighty issue..

The fashion industry's perpetual BMI controversy continues, and Israel is the most recent country to address the globally-acknowledged issue.

Constantly criticized for promoting an unhealthy, too-thin body image, the international fashion community is now forced to re-address the problem after Israel's action to ban too-thin models.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Israel's law, which went into effect yesterday, bans models with a body-mass index of less than 18.5 from appearing in ads. (Meaning a woman who is 5 ft 8 in tall can't weigh less than 119 pounds).

The law also requires publications to indicate when they use altered images of models, dissuading all-too-common photoshop distortion.

Responding to Israel's recent ban, chief executive of the CFDA, Steven Kolb, said the U.S. has no plans to enact a law banning models under a certain weight.

Kolb instead highlighted the CFDA's successful six-year-old program that focuses on providing a healthy atmosphere for models based on recommendations from nutritionists, eating disorder specialists and fitness trainers.

Since the guidelines have been in effect, Kolb said, "[the U.S. fashion industry] has made great strides, particularly around age. We've seen a sharp decrease in underage models working during fashion week. We believe in consistent messaging from the CFDA, not pointing your finger at someone but a collective effort by the industry to ensure healthy working conditions."

Thus, the skinny scandal continues into 2013..