11/07/2007

Call for ban on under-sixteen models

Models aged under sixteen should banned from the catwalks at London Fashion Week, an inquiry into the British fashion industry has said.

The Model Health Inquiry, which was established in order to investigate health problems, also said that greater protection was needed for models aged 17 and 18.

However, the inquiry ruled out weighing all models, saying that the measure had been ineffective in other countries.

Chairwoman Baroness Kingsmill said: "During our investigations members of the panel became increasingly concerned as we heard more details about the working conditions faced by many models and the vulnerability of young women working in an unregulated and scarcely-monitored work environment.

"We have been given startling medical evidence about the prevalence and impact of eating disorders in certain high-risk industries.

"There was also strongly expressed concern that it is profoundly inappropriate that girls under 16 - under the age of consent - should be portrayed as adult women. The risk of sexualising these children was high and designers could risk charges of sexual exploitation."

The inquiry is due to publish a final report, along with a final set of recommendations, in September, ahead of the next London Fashion Week, which also takes place that month.

(KMcA/JM)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

12 October 2005
Burberry reports slight sales increase
Luxury fashion brand Burberry has reported a 3% rise in underlying sales. The luxury retailer, famous for its distinctive checked design, said that it was on schedule to increase average retail selling space by 9% for the financial year. The news comes one day after Burberry announced the appointment of a new Chief Executive.
18 September 2009
Tackle 'Pro-Ana' Websites, Says Docs
Psychiatrists have called for urgent action to protect vulnerable young people from the harmful influence of pro-eating disorder websites. So-called 'pro-ana' (pro-anorexia) and 'pro-mia' (pro-bulimia) websites have existed since the development of the internet – but their number has soared in recent years with the growth of social networking.
07 October 2014
Police Appeal For Witnesses To 'Horrific Attack' In Glasgow
An investigation into a "horrific attack" in Glasgow last week has been upgraded to a murder inquiry following the death of Stephen McGinlay. Mr McGinlay (26) was attacked by three men on St George's Road in Glasgow at about 17:50 on Thursday 02 October. He died in Glasgow Royal Infirmary on Sunday.
25 May 2012
Cameron Defends Jeremy Hunt's Handling Of BSkyB Bid
David Cameron has strongly defended Jeremy Hunt's handling of Rupert Murdoch's bid for BSkyB. This follows the discovery of new evidence showing that Hunt was privately pushing for the takeover to be allowed before he was appointed to oversee the process.
08 November 2010
Public Inquiry Into Stafford Hospital Opens
A public inquiry into failings at Stafford Hospital has opened today. The start of the inquiry, at the offices of Stafford Borough Council, was reportedly delayed because one of the relatives objected because family members and the media were in a different room to that of the inquiry Chairman Robert Francis QC and his panel.