London Fashion Week. Pic: Creative Economy.
Calls for greater diversity of ages and sizes among fashion models were made at the launch in East London of a new network for models, backed by the stage union Equity
The event titled ‘Models Own Image, The Ethics of Fashion Photography’ held at the Rag Factory, Spitalfields featured a panel which included Paul Bevan, lecturer from the London College of Fashion, Charlotte Gush, from All Walks Beyond the Catwalk Initiative and Eva Fahler, model and co-ordinator for Equity Model Network. It was chaired by Hilary Hadley, senior organiser for Equity.
Bevan said fashion was an “idealistic and unethical’ mixture of truth and fiction. As a course director for MA Fashion photography he said that he encourages his students to work with a diverse range of models including family and friends alongside professional models.
The panel also pointed out that there are several plus size model agencies.
Carlos Lumiere, a fashion photographer, said that: “not every job is for skinny girls”.
Gush, fashion writer, made the point that not everybody can be a model, that it requires skill, flair and hard work but that this was not an excuse for a lack of diversity, in body size, race and age.
Zahra Nowrovz, 29, from Marylebone said: “When you look through the magazines and you see someone who is selling a set of clothes you look at them and think ‘I can’t wear that because that’s on a model whose six foot tall and 50 kilograms, and I’m not.”
Mark Thomas, 53, from Kensington said: “Models in various magazines, on the internet and in various advertising all look pretty thin to me. I don’t think things are changing.”
Natalie Thompson, 33, a model agent from Chelsea said: “I wouldn’t say they have to be thin, but I think they have to look after themselves. I try to recommend how to eat healthily and how to work out as well.”
Kristin Hamada, the event organiser said that the purpose of Equity Model’s Network was to connect models to other models to talk about their experiences and “most importantly” to act to create change.
There are currently 300 members of the network, with 7 working as activists for the union.
By Tosin Oyeniyi
