Pressure on industry after Miss England speaks out

Published on Tuesday 13 February 2007 02:05

THE British fashion industry came under renewed pressure yesterday from those inside the fashion and arts industries over the use of size-zero models in catwalk shows.

As London Fashion Week entered its second day, Miss England criticised the use of "gaunt-looking" models and one of the country's leading ballet schools contrasted its own ban on overly-skinny dancers with designers continued use of severely under weight girls on the catwalk.

Eleanor Glynn, 20, said the fashion industry had a responsibility towards young girls who idolise models. Ms Glynn, who was crowned Miss England last July, said that despite being a size eight to ten she had been rejected for a number of modelling jobs. She said: "They seem to have been going for the gaunt, almost cocaine look for the past few years and I think it is time we have variation.

"It affected me at one point until I won Miss England, but the girls who don't have other doors opening can fall on eating disorders ... we are almost being brain washed at the moment into believing this is reality.

Her comments came as the English National Ballet School trumpeted its own ban on under weight students.

Jane Hackett, the school's director, said: "If a girl or boy looks too thin or unhealthy, they are not allowed to perform at all. As performing is the main motivation for these young, talented people, it quickly has the desired effect."

In London yesterday posters offering help for anorexia and bulimia were pasted on walls backstage at several London fashion shows, while one restaurant popular with the fashion crowd said it was offering free food to models to try and get them to eat more.

And as the controversy over the glorification of underweight women continued, it emerged the Hollywood star Kate Winslet is taking legal action against the magazine Grazia over claims that she had been visiting a diet doctor to help her lose weight.

The English actress, who has always insisted that she was happy with her body is suing the publication, stating that not only was it not true but also that she was concerned about the effect the article might have on impressionable young fans.