| Model Health Inquiry |
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| Thursday, 07 February 2008 | |
 In an open letter, Hilary Riva, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council (BFC), gives an update on the progress in implementing the recommendations from the Model Health Inquiry (MHI) as well as an appraisal of some the problems the British Fashion Council experienced. According to the
letter, awareness has risen of the importance of the health of models providing the context for an informed debate amongst a wide group of interested parties from Government and health bodies, to designers, model agencies and print media. Hilary Riva writes: "Awareness is one of the key goals of the campaigners who quite rightly aim to keep this issue in the public arena in order to gain publicity for an understanding of eating disorders. While it is understandable that there is a call for speed and regulation we remain convinced that real progress is only achieved by long term fundamental changes in attitudes and behaviors."
The MHI made 14 recommendations, which the British Fashion Council has recognised, and wants to follow up with. Riva mainly focused on the recommendation of medical certification, which would have the most benefit if adopted internationally. She writes: "Over 70% of models at London Fashion Week are based overseas, employed through agencies outside of the UK, and arrive hours before the shows. Most arrive from New York Fashion Week and go on to Milan and Paris after London. Model industry representatives advise us that any unilateral action by London Fashion Week will simply mean that models will decline to work in London which is already the least commercially attractive of the four major Fashion Weeks. The panel recognised these challenges and the potential damage to the future of London Fashion Week, as without internationally recognised catwalk models our designers will not want to show here." Riva has been in contact with all her counterparts in New York, Paris and Milan and met with the Camera Nazionale della Moda (CNDM) in Milan and with the CFDA in New York. The letter reads that there is a lack of enthusiasm for an international solution and that by the looks of it the previous mentioned fashion capitals aren't really doing anything to speed up the process to create a better work environment. London is committed to move the model health issue forward and in the coming months the BFC will be undertaking a feasibility study with a view to a pilot scheme-taking place in London in September 2008. The results will be carefully monitored and the impact on London Fashion Week. This will be communicated back to the other international cities in a bid to change their views. The open letter concludes, that the MHI has had a positive change so far and designers have been supportive of the initiative. Image: Agnete (model.com) |
The open letter continues: "With regard to the recommendations of the MHI I want to talk specifically about areas of progress as well as explain the problems of making steps forward in other areas. Firstly, we are delighted that Equity, traditionally known as a union for actors, has agreed to allow models entry. This is a significant step, which recognises the role of models and gives models access to representation for the first time. This has been achieved as a direct result of the work of the MHI and we regard this as a significant breakthrough. We thank Equity for their support and wish them success."
