Despite the need for models to start gorging themselves, there is reason for grave concern about any potential governmental involvement in the fashion industry.
In an effort to present "an image of beauty and health," fashion show organizers kept five models from strutting down the runway during Fashion Week in Madrid. The Spanish government soon weighed in on the matter (pun intended), effectively banning ultrathin models from the catwalk.
Fashion show organizers in Milan quickly followed suit, announcing a new set of regulations to protect models from anorexia and exploitation. British culture minister Tessa Jowell asked London to implement similar policies.
Just like every other fashion trend, this one crossed the Atlantic. New York is currently abuzz with fashion show organizers discussing whether or not to institute a similar restriction, and it appears the federal government is debating whether to step in.
I applaud those who are taking a strong stance against the grossly unhealthy behavior of so many in this industry. Today's able-to-be-folded-three-times-over runway models are slimmer than the Virginia Slims they smoke.
Dave Barry was only half-joking when he said, "The leading cause of death among fashion models is falling through street grates."
It is a shame when the fashion industry, a purpose of which is to promote beauty, succumbs to showcasing models that are sickly looking. Not to mention the fact most men do not prefer women sans curves to remind them of their own physiques.
As was the case in Madrid, both the organizers of the fashion show and the government took steps to reject any model whose body mass index was found to be below the World Health Organization's definition of undernourishment.
These organizers, like those here in the states, have the right to determine who may play a role in their runway productions. They may prohibit any model that does not fit the look (again, pun intended) they wish to portray.
However, the American government - or any government for that matter - has no business minutely regulating the fashion industry. Our government has more pressing and important issues to consider.
With wars in the Middle East and one of the world's worst humanitarian crises taking place in Darfur, the last item of concern should be assessing the heights and weights of runway models.
This ties into the notion of institutions or persons who enact rules based solely on a practice or behavior that is disliked or is deemed unacceptable.
The government routinely assumes the mentality of dictating to citizens how to live their lives. Much of that is defensible and necessary. Consequently, however, a slippery slope may cause governmental regulation of other, once private, behaviors.
This mentality is comparable to the government's extreme attitude toward an individual who chooses to smoke. In this case, though, the government would control how much a runway model must consume.
It is the responsibility of these models to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Designers and agents could also take a more active role in supervising the well-being of their clients.
But in the end, it is an individual who must take responsibility for his or her own actions. Laws enacted by the government erode this personal accountability.
Even with governmental meddling, the real issue here is not being addressed: an unhealthy lifestyle. Hopefully, with this ever-present discussion of models and weight apparently reaching a turning point, those in the fashion industry will recognize the need to end harmful behavior.
After all, it would be awful to lose such beautiful women to street grates.
Hilary Wade is a political science junior. She can be reached at Hilary.Wade@asu.edu.
