New Israeli law tells underweight models to gain weight or get off the runway

[Redfairen]

“You’re a knockout! Did you gain a little weight?” Israeli fashion photographer and model agent Adi Barkan crows as he greets one of his top models, a towering brunette decked out in a chic black minidress surrounded by the exuberant chaos of the photo shoot in downtown Tel Aviv.

This is a celebratory week for Mr. Barkan, as a new law championed by the fashion giant took effect Jan. 1, banning the use of underweight models in local ads and on the catwalk. Its aim is to help curb a rise in eating disorders among those in the fashion industry and the general public.

“Beautiful is not underweight, beautiful is not anorexic,” says Knesset member Rachel Adato, who helped push the law through. “A revolution has begun against the perception of beauty in Israel, (and) this law shatters the anorexic ideal serving as an example for the country’s youth.”

The new law, known as the “photoshop law,” requires models to present their employers with a current doctor’s note confirming that they meet a minimum body mass index (BMI) – a calculation of weight to height proportion – of 18.5, which is considered the lowest threshold for a healthy weight. Advertisements featuring models who are “photoshopped” or otherwise digitally altered to make them appear thinner must be clearly marked as manipulated images.

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2013/0104/Israel-tells-underweight-models-to-gain-weight-or-get-off-the-runway?nav=87-frontpage-entryInsideMonitor

[dipsydoodle]

1. They need our Chloe from the UK.

[Eleanors38]

2. Should be called the Zaftig Law.

[bluestate10]

4. Beautiful woman. nt

[dipsydoodle]

6. She's a youngster.

Chloe Elizabeth Marshall (born 27 March 1991[1]) is an English plus-size model from Cranleigh, Surrey. Having won the Miss Surrey title in March 2008, she became the first size 16 (US size 12 to 14) model to reach the finals for the Miss England tiara.[6]

Marshall has stated that she "wanted to go through to the Miss England finals to break the stereotype that you have to be tall and skinny to be considered beautiful."[7] However, Marshall's Body Mass Index of 26.03, which is within what the body mass index classifies as overweight, has led to her being criticised for promoting obesity and ill-health.[8]

The national finals for the Miss England title were held on 18 July 2008. Marshall came in second place.[9] The same year, she was signed by the Models Plus agency.[10]

Chloe appeared on the cover of Plus Model Magazine in March 2010.[11] Marshall signed a three year contract with Ford Models in early 2010.[11] Chloe has modeled for notable plus-size clothing clients including Macy's and Torrid.[5][12] She also walked in Lane Bryant's 2011 runway show in Las Vegas.[13]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloe_Marshall

She got loads of tv coverage here in 2008. I think she's gorgeous and a good example against excess skininess.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. Not a bad idea

Could not pass constitutional muster, but good for them.

[smirkymonkey]

5. K&R, It's about time.