Fab Flash: UK Catwalk Ban Likely for Under-16 Models

July 9, 2007

A new inquiry commissioned by the British Fashion Council is proposing that girls under the age of 16 be banned from catwalks and photoshoots in the United Kingdom - meaning that models hoping to follow Kate Moss, Lily Cole, and Naomi Campbell, who all began modelling at 14 or 15, might have to wait a couple of years.

The Model Health Inquiry report that will be released on Wednesday is not recommending that "size zero" models be banned, but is asking for better health and nutritional advice for models, as well as improvements in ways models can complain about their working conditions. The British Fashion Council has indicated it will accept and implement the recommendations. I think this is definitely good news and I hope that they do actually go through with it!

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31 Comments

Brandycat 5 years 45 weeks

I don't understand why designers use children to sell clothing to grown women. This idea is long overdue.

swwonder 5 years 45 weeks

About time! It seems models are getting younger and younger these days.

divalicious23 5 years 45 weeks

I don't want to see another kate moss for years. I think kate is way too skinny. They should ban that also.

megln1022 5 years 45 weeks

a good point was made above- there are regular working age restrictions for other jobs, so why not modeling. especially because of the type of industry. i agree that a size zero ban might not be good- some people are just naturally thin. but i agree that health should be taken into consideration. at least for the 16-18 year olds who might not be mature enough to think of the consequences and instead are just feeling the pressure of the industry to look a certain way.

LaLaLaurie06 5 years 45 weeks

Awesome!!

LaLaLaurie06 5 years 45 weeks

Awesome!!

pøt 5 years 45 weeks

This made me happy! I hope models start getting healthier. I know that some of the are naturally thin, but a lot of them just look sick. And a girl barely in her teens shouldn't be on a catwalk, in my opinion. Girls that age are so easily impressionable.

pøt 5 years 45 weeks

This made me happy!I hope models start getting healthier. I know that some of the are naturally thin, but a lot of them just look sick.And a girl barely in her teens shouldn't be on a catwalk, in my opinion. Girls that age are so easily impressionable.

helenette 5 years 45 weeks

kate moss looks so cute

helenette 5 years 45 weeks

kate moss looks so cute

Baby_Jatti 5 years 45 weeks

thats great.

Baby_Jatti 5 years 45 weeks

thats great.

piksie707 5 years 45 weeks

I agree with HelloKittyMini.... a mandatory yearly physical would make more sense than banning girls for being thin....however, there is not going to be anyone willing to pay for that volume of physical examination. so that's a good idea, but not practical.i wonder if it really is a good idea to ban girls for being young?? on one hand, it seems good, on the other, a bit strange...argh.

piksie707 5 years 45 weeks

I agree with HelloKittyMini.... a mandatory yearly physical would make more sense than banning girls for being thin....however, there is not going to be anyone willing to pay for that volume of physical examination. so that's a good idea, but not practical. i wonder if it really is a good idea to ban girls for being young?? on one hand, it seems good, on the other, a bit strange...argh.

HelloKittyMini 5 years 45 weeks

Good for England. Age restrictions are not much different than regular age-work restrictions. Growing up I remember having to get a work permit when I was 16. There are certain jobs which are not appropriate for children, maybe runway work is one of those. I'm not sure I think baning size 0 models is a good idea. Some women (although I am not one) are naturally that thin. Maybe health restrictions or yearly physical would be a good way to monitor children involved in modeling. After all some other types of jobs require a physical exam.

HelloKittyMini 5 years 45 weeks

Good for England. Age restrictions are not much different than regular age-work restrictions. Growing up I remember having to get a work permit when I was 16. There are certain jobs which are not appropriate for children, maybe runway work is one of those.I'm not sure I think baning size 0 models is a good idea. Some women (although I am not one) are naturally that thin. Maybe health restrictions or yearly physical would be a good way to monitor children involved in modeling. After all some other types of jobs require a physical exam.

fashionstar 5 years 45 weeks

I hope they do too, it's weird that they dress these young girls up like grown women and it's awful when these girls have to feel all of that pressure to look perfect at such an early age.

pinkflats 5 years 45 weeks

I ready hope there will be good results to this new direction. Sometimes I always think it's all talk.

QueenofSuburbia 5 years 45 weeks

Childhood is for being a child. There's plenty of time to earn a living later in life.I've worked around the fashion industry most of my adult life, from runway shows to shoots. It isn't a suitable world for children (nor most adults for that matter!)

QueenofSuburbia 5 years 45 weeks

Childhood is for being a child. There's plenty of time to earn a living later in life. I've worked around the fashion industry most of my adult life, from runway shows to shoots. It isn't a suitable world for children (nor most adults for that matter!)

katlovesclothes 5 years 45 weeks

I used to model in high school thru college. Eventually i got a "real" job (that is, b/c I'm not supermodel material, and whad'ja think college was for?) I admit, when I was 14, 15 I was SHOCKED at the volume of alcohol present. Girls get stage frieght and to keep them loose, multiple parties will bring in liquor and powders. The staff is too busy to police, so there's a lot of stuff that goes on mom, dad and the fam would NOT be proud of... good times... off camera.