French law aims to combat use of unhealthy models in advertising

New legislation demands a medical certificate in order to work in the industry

In May, a new French law shook up the fashion industry. The law stated that all hired models must obtain a medical certificate, valid for two years, stating that they are in good health, not excessively underweight, and meet a required minimum BMI in order to take part in any modeling campaigns or runways. French Parliament created this law to be cautious of their French based models and to combat anorexia in young women.

  The “perfect” body is depicted by what is seen on television and in advertisements plastered all over magazines. A long standing public issue is the message conveyed to young girls, specifically teenage girls. Department chair of physical education and assistant athletic director Ms. Regina Grubb remember that when she was in high school she remembers the “perfect” body as being bone skinny, and even worse, it was shown through tobacco commercials on television. Grubb said that as a health teacher, she defines a healthy body in many ways, but in reality a perfect body is whatever makes someone comfortable in their own body even if society says otherwise, because everyone is beautiful in their own way.

The spectrum of models seen on the runways and campaigns has broadened. Michael Kors and Christian Siriano have started including models sizes 14 and 16 in their runway shows.  Gucci and Dior, two major international fashion brands, have decided that they will no longer hire models who are bone thin. Grubb pointed out that now, more athletic women are shown with toned bodies rather than bone thin bodies.

Poolesville Junior and aspiring model Carmen Normoyle believes that the bone thin models that high end brands are hiring aren’t a good thing, and that it makes people perceive beauty in a certain way. This French law has had a huge impact in the modeling industry, especially due to the fact that it was announced right before French fashion week. It has caused many brands to evaluate their models and what beauty standard they are showing to the world.

Grubb believes that this law is a wonderful thing and it makes the companies care about their models well being. She believes that France really opened their eyes and is seeing the big picture of what’s happening in everyday life, which is preventing young girls from seeing models who are not medically doing well and putting these models in horrible position to be that skinny and unhealthy.

Normoyle strongly believes that every country should implement this law in order to protect models, fight anorexia and show young teenagers a realistic beauty standard.

Not only does this French law require medical certificates from models, it also includes that models under the age of 18 will not be served alcohol. Additionally, French magazines are prohibited from digitally enhancing models in campaigns and advertisements as of October 1, 2017.