“No anorexia on the catwalk”

When we think about a model on the catwalk, immediately we think about a tall and extremely thin woman. And it is no coincidence that this should be the first image that comes to mind when talking about models, because since the fashion world stopped being an elitist sphere in order to become a vehicle for the beauty industry, models began to embody these new beauty standards. Since the “supermodel” era of the 90s these figures of the fashion world became something more than just models, they became role models for all the young girls striving to be as thin and desired as them.
With the turn of the century the beauty standards on the catwalk changed, since in the 90s these girls became even more famous than the designers and their collections. And this is when the famous phrase “Models should be a clothing rack” came about. A phrase that would later cost these designers the worst campaigns against anorexia on the catwalks, because these “racks” turned into “skeletons where you could hang the clothes and the lifestyles of these women”. Anorexia became ubiquitous and ended in a few model deaths.
In 2007 the organizers of the London fashion week raised attention to this problem promoting the event with the slogan “London, catwalks without drugs and anorexia”. And after that, naturally, the most important catwalks joined them. Nowadays world famous designers demand models with a healthy BMI and size 36. The last designer was Lorenzo Riva, one of Balenciaga’s former students, who supported the concept that thinness couldn’t be the only beauty standard around.
Thus, he joined Nadia Accetti, president of the association “Donna Donna onlus”, which promotes campaigns against anorexia: “Together against eating disorders”. Thanks to institutions like this the big fashion houses and catwalks couldn’t keep their eyes closed, especially since a model is not only a clothing rack, but indeed a role model for women all around the globe.
Nowadays the fashion world tries to engage with the real world and make small steps into making their models into representatives of more realistic beauty standards.
If you are interested in fashion and want to see these changes happening on the catwalks then you should go to Milan. Rent apartments in Milan, and enjoy your stay in the world’s biggest fashion capital.















