A recently proposed French bill seeks to ban overly thin fashion models from working in the country. This follows growing concerns about the impact of the fashion industry on body image and eating disorders.
According to Health Minister Marisol Touraine, the legislation is intended to protect young people from unrealistic and unhealthy ideals. The bill would require models to provide a medical certificate attesting to their physical and mental health before they can work. Those deemed to be underweight would be prohibited from participating in fashion shows, photo shoots, and other industry events.
The move has been met with mixed reactions within the fashion industry. Some designers and agents have expressed concerns that the bill could be too restrictive and could have unintended consequences. They argue that it could lead to discrimination against models who are naturally thin and could make it more difficult for them to find work.
However, many health professionals and advocates have welcomed the bill as a necessary step to address the issue of eating disorders in the fashion industry. They argue that the industry has a responsibility to promote healthy body images and that banning excessively thin models could help to reduce the pressure on young people to conform to unrealistic standards.
The bill is expected to be debated in the French parliament later this year. If passed, it would become the first law of its kind in the world.
In addition to the proposed legislation in France, there have been other efforts around the world to address the issue of excessively thin models. In 2015, the Madrid Fashion Week banned models with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18.5. The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has also developed guidelines for its members to promote healthy body images and to discourage the use of excessively thin models.
The issue of excessively thin models is a complex one with no easy solutions. However, the proposed legislation in France and other efforts around the world represent a growing recognition of the need to address the issue and to protect young people from the harmful effects of unrealistic body ideals.
**Sources**
* [France to Ban Excessively Thin Fashion Models](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/04/world/europe/france-fashion-bill-models-eating-disorders.html)
* [France Proposes Ban on Excessively Thin Fashion Models](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32186507)
* [Council of Fashion Designers of America Guidelines on Healthy Body Image](https://www.cfda.com/healthy-body-image-guidelines).
