B.A.F.F.L.E.D. Fashion Law
France Continues Lead in Positive Body Imaging--
In late 2015, France took a stand against negative body images continuing to rule the fashion industry. The nation began requiring fashion models to provide a doctor's approval, certifying they were healthy enough to walk the runway. As a cornerstone in the age old fashion industry, France's moves are always seen with deference. The U.S. has made attempts to address child labor laws, but are still working on achieving something similar for adults. The American Journal of Public Health praised what France did in '15.
This time, France is requiring publishers and photographers to include a warning label, "Photographie Retouchee'", on any picture with retouched or photoshopped models. Major fines will be assessed if the warning is not included. The hook is to warn consumers when they are seeing an image of a model altered to look skinnier than they actually are---further "skinny praising", less natural body praising in general.
The law was first filed in 2009, but hasn't come to fruition until now. Over the years, there's been praise and opposition for it. Some see it as necessary to reversing the many years of trends in skinny overruling all other sizes. Others see it as unnecessary--"we know ads are made to sell dreams and make-believe".
How do you think this will work? Is it necessary? Should other countries require it, too?
In late 2015, France took a stand against negative body images continuing to rule the fashion industry. The nation began requiring fashion models to provide a doctor's approval, certifying they were healthy enough to walk the runway. As a cornerstone in the age old fashion industry, France's moves are always seen with deference. The U.S. has made attempts to address child labor laws, but are still working on achieving something similar for adults. The American Journal of Public Health praised what France did in '15. This time, France is requiring publishers and photographers to include a warning label, "Photographie Retouchee'", on any picture with retouched or photoshopped models. Major fines will be assessed if the warning is not included. The hook is to warn consumers when they are seeing an image of a model altered to look skinnier than they actually are---further "skinny praising", less natural body praising in general.
The law was first filed in 2009, but hasn't come to fruition until now. Over the years, there's been praise and opposition for it. Some see it as necessary to reversing the many years of trends in skinny overruling all other sizes. Others see it as unnecessary--"we know ads are made to sell dreams and make-believe".
How do you think this will work? Is it necessary? Should other countries require it, too?
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| This photo shows a body chain made by B.A.F.F.L.E.D. fave, Ready to Stare - a body positive brand. |
B.A.F.F.L.E.D. Fashion Law
France's Fashion Laws Could Influence Change in the U.S.--
While a change in the models we see strutting down the catwalk may be a fashion week or 2 away, a new French law could be just what effects the change. This past December, France passed a law ultimately protecting the health of fashion models, requiring medical professional clearance to work. The requirements are for both print and runway models.
The U.S. has taken a step to address child labor laws at the national level, but is also being pressed to do the same for adult models hitting runways, commercials, and print ads. With Paris being considered a fashion capital to many, this landmark change happening on their turf 1st is likely to force a tide change in other fashionable cities and countries as well. The American Journal of Public Health applauded the French law and encouraged something similar to pass in America. It is highly unlikely a designer would show looks on certain models in 1 city, without keeping those looks pretty similar in another.
On the heels of our race in fashion post, it is important to know diversity in fashion calls for both cultural and physical integration. As many French designers faced backlash for resisting the change and pressure to "infringe on their creative control", the same would be the case here if the battle got too hot. With many designers already responding to calls for more diversity in fashion--working to address both racial and physical inequalities in the industry, we are hopeful this trend will be as long-standing as denim in every closet.
International Business Times delved a bit deeper into this trend change. Check our more here.
...See, we told you fashion law was intellectual property and more!
While a change in the models we see strutting down the catwalk may be a fashion week or 2 away, a new French law could be just what effects the change. This past December, France passed a law ultimately protecting the health of fashion models, requiring medical professional clearance to work. The requirements are for both print and runway models.
The U.S. has taken a step to address child labor laws at the national level, but is also being pressed to do the same for adult models hitting runways, commercials, and print ads. With Paris being considered a fashion capital to many, this landmark change happening on their turf 1st is likely to force a tide change in other fashionable cities and countries as well. The American Journal of Public Health applauded the French law and encouraged something similar to pass in America. It is highly unlikely a designer would show looks on certain models in 1 city, without keeping those looks pretty similar in another.
On the heels of our race in fashion post, it is important to know diversity in fashion calls for both cultural and physical integration. As many French designers faced backlash for resisting the change and pressure to "infringe on their creative control", the same would be the case here if the battle got too hot. With many designers already responding to calls for more diversity in fashion--working to address both racial and physical inequalities in the industry, we are hopeful this trend will be as long-standing as denim in every closet.
International Business Times delved a bit deeper into this trend change. Check our more here.
...See, we told you fashion law was intellectual property and more!
B.A.F.F.L.E.D. Fashion Law
France Takes A Stand Against Unhealthy Modeling--
Just as U.S. Congresswoman Meng (D-NY) is working to address child labor issues in the United States, France is working to improve the culture of fashion modeling in one of the industry's oldest markets.
To ensure the reforms are real, France is requiring doctors' approval for models to participate in shows, proving they are not too thin, and healthy enough to take the catwalk. This is a major step in an industry that's been fighting labor health and image issues for so long. The bill passed by the French National Assembly also requires photos which have edited a model's appearance to note what edit was made.
Similar to the laws already in place in Italy, Spain, and Israel, France's law includes fines for modeling agencies and advertisers in non-compliance. While there is no law of this kind in America, we hope this is the start of a trend to promote not only healthy bodies in the modeling industry--of all sizes, but positive body images and high self-esteem, too.
Cheers to France on this move.
Just as U.S. Congresswoman Meng (D-NY) is working to address child labor issues in the United States, France is working to improve the culture of fashion modeling in one of the industry's oldest markets.
To ensure the reforms are real, France is requiring doctors' approval for models to participate in shows, proving they are not too thin, and healthy enough to take the catwalk. This is a major step in an industry that's been fighting labor health and image issues for so long. The bill passed by the French National Assembly also requires photos which have edited a model's appearance to note what edit was made.
Similar to the laws already in place in Italy, Spain, and Israel, France's law includes fines for modeling agencies and advertisers in non-compliance. While there is no law of this kind in America, we hope this is the start of a trend to promote not only healthy bodies in the modeling industry--of all sizes, but positive body images and high self-esteem, too.
Cheers to France on this move.