When I saw this news story I just knew I had to post something about it here because: 1.) I was just at Madrid Fashion Week, and 2.) we just received another email from a viewer who commented that some of the mariposa girls featured in our show appear unhealthily skinny.

The organisers of Madrid Fashion Week have announced that they are banning skinny women to develop a more healthy image for the event this month. If any very skinny models do turn up, they will be classed as unhealthy and in need of medical help.

The move has been heralded as good news for younger and lesser-known models, who often force themselves to become thin in the battle to secure a place among the top flight. But pear-shaped females should not celebrate too heartily, for the leading names of world fashion are showing no sign of following in the Spaniards’ footsteps. The Pasarela Cibeles trade fair in Madrid is a minnow compared with the big fish of Milan, Paris, New York and London fashion weeks.

Madrid city council, which sponsors the fashion week, has ordered that every model on show must have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 18. Models who are 5ft 9in (1.75m) tall must weigh a minimum of 8st 11oz (56 kg).

full article: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2349467,00.html

Well, what do you think?  Is this a step in the right direction?  Should we be instituting BMI criteria for future mariposa girls appearing in the show?

Professionally, I think it is about time. It is important to set a precedent and to create better role models.

As far as Mariposa girls, I don't know. I think of Mariposa being more free wheeling, what you see on a whim, so to speak. You're just out and about, and you never know what you are going to see.

I would say, not to actively pursue women that have insufficient BMI, but other than that, I like the current style.