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Mayor to reconsider Fashion Week grant in size zero storm
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard11.09.08
Boris Johnson is to reconsider withdrawing funding for London Fashion Week in a row over sizezero models.
The Mayor said he would look again at a grant of £4.5 million given to the British Fashion Council after it refused to bring in compulsory health certificates for women in the shows.
Critics say the BFC, which runs the fashion week, has flouted the terms of its grant and is contributing to eating disorders in the industry.
Mr Johnson said he had to take into account the economic benefit London Fashion Week brings to the capital, after Lib-Dem London Assembly member Dee Doocey said he should cut the funding as he had a "duty to the health of Londoners".
Although he initially said he would not withdraw the funding Mr Johnson said he would "look again at the request". "I have an open mind about this," he said. "I'm willing to listen to the argument and the case for taking more extreme action if this will help protect the health of Londoners."
Model health certificates were proposed by the Model Health Inquiry, which was set up last year and led by Baroness King.
One of the conditions of the fashion council's funding was it could be removed if they failed to "adequately protect the health of models."
Mr Johnson said that he would meet with Ms Doocey and might withdraw the funding if she could convince him it was necessary.
Ms Doocey, who has worked in the fashion industry, said: "If something isn't done more people will die. Everyone knows this trend for models that look like coathangers is damaging.
"I have worked with models and seen them starve themselves, staring at plates of sandwiches wanting just one quarter. They're not going to change because in the vast majority of cases they have to look like that to get work.
"So if the models won't change, the industry has to and Mr Johnson could make the first move.
There is also some support for withdrawing funding from within the fashion industry.
Model agency owner Eleni Renton, whose agency Quintessentially Models refuses to employ size-zero girls, said: "For this body shape to be popularised and promoted by the money of taxpayers is scandalous.
"It is time for Boris Johnson to act. It is him, through the London Development Agency, who supplies the bulk of London Fashion Week's funding."
Reader views (1)
I think its right that the grant be reviewed here. Not because of the "skinny" models, but because the industry has faulted on a condition of their grant.
With over weight, underweight and a recent study that showed 80% of women dont get enough exercise every week, whats gone horribly wrong on such a large scale? Have we totally lost the ability to look after ourselves?
- Roland, London
