French fashion giants ready to ban size 0 models

Paris: Two of luxury goods conglomerates of France on Wednesday announced a ban on size 0 models aimed at protecting their health. The two groups said they hoped to set a new global standard for the fashion industry.

The pact has been adopted by French corporations LVMH and Kering incorporates — and goes beyond — a new French law that requires all models to provide medical certificates proving they are healthy before they can work.

While the French law set to take effect from Oct 1 requires both male and female models to present a health certificate obtained within the previous two years, reports CNBC.

The French law initially included a minimum body mass index requirement, but it was removed after lawmakers deemed the doctor’s certificate an adequate safeguard.

“We hope to inspire the entire industry to follow suit, thus making a real difference in the working conditions of fashion models industry-wide,” Kering CEO Francois-Henri Pinault said in a statement.

A monitoring committee of representatives from Kering and LVMH will meet annually with brands, modeling agencies and models to ensure the charter is being correctly implemented.

The two giants’ fashion houses include Dior, Kenzo, Stella McCartney, Saint Laurent, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and others.