Vogue bans too skinny and underage models

The editor of US Vogue Anna Wintour has joined 18 editors of the fashion magazine’s international editions in a pledge to use only healthy models on their editorial pages.

The pledge also puts a ban on underage models, in an attempt to demonstrate a more realistic and healthy representation of adult women’s bodies.

[Related story: Surely not! Designer disses Anna Wintour]
[Related story: Anna Wintour proves her worth in white]

Wintour’s French counterpart, Emmanuelle Alt, has also agreed to the proposal. Paris Vogue encountered huge criticism last year, when it included 10-year-old ‘supermodel’ Thylane Lena-Rose Blondeau in a glamorous shoot, heavily made up and seductively shot.

“Vogue believes that good health is beautiful," said Jonathan Newhouse, of Conde Nast International, Vogue’s parent company. "Vogue editors around the world want the magazines to reflect their commitment to the health of the models who appear on the pages and the wellbeing of their readers.”

The pledge contains six points and will appear in the June issues of the magazines participating. All of the editors have agreed not to knowingly work with models under the age of 16 or “who appear to have an eating disorder”.

The pledge also extends to require modelling agencies to be stricter on the criteria for sending models to Vogue and fashion designers to reconsider sending unrealistically small sample dress sizes for shoots.

"The use of underage models is linked to financial exploitation, eating disorders, interrupted schooling, and contributes to models' overall lack of empowerment in the workplace," the Model Alliance said in a statement, adding that it welcome’s Vogue’s “impressive lead”.

"We simply believe that 14 is too young to be working in this very grown-up industry, and we're glad that Conde Nast International is making this commitment."

Do you think this move by Vogue will make a difference?