Quebec takes stand on thin models as Fashion Week begins

1 month ago 15th Oct 10:55

Quebec is the latest city to take a stand on super skinny models.

The provincial minister,Christine St. Pierre, who is responsible for the status of women in Quebec, announced plans to adopt a charter that would call for an end to ultra-thin models on runways and magazine pages.

St. Pierre said the industry has to take responsibility for the health of its models, and that she wants to make sure those strutting the runways are in good health.

"We have to change the mentality," St. Pierre told CBC News. "We are in a position to say to them 'OK, you have to do something.' But I'm not looking for a law, I'm just looking for an involvement from the fashion industry."

She added that she hopes ending the use of ultra thin models will help to stop anorexia.

"If we work with the fashion industry they will be able to reach young women and young men and to talk to them," she said. "This is what we are looking for, and also we want to address this problem with the health minister and all the businesses involved."

Jean-François Daviau, producer of Montreal Fashion Week and co-president of Sensation Mode, said he believes a charter would be a good idea, but he said the models also need support.

"We don't want to point at her and say 'You're the problem,'" Daviau said. "That's another issue. We have to be very careful on the impact of such an action."