London Fashion Week is due to commence on the 16 September with over 83 designers set to feature their collections and more than 5,000 people flocking from across the world to attend.
But the highly-anticipated fashion event does not come without controversy, as the Women’s Equality Party has called out designers for not conveying a realistic body image at their catwalk shows. The committee led by Sophie Walker, is campaigning for British fashion designers to show at least two sample sizes, starting at a UK size 12 and above.
Currently the industry considers a size 12 to be ‘plus size’, which is of course destined to have a negative impact upon young women.
Yet sample sizes that are currently shown at London Fashion Week are typically a UK size four, which is the equivalent to a US size zero.
Leader of the Women’s Equality Party, Sophie Walker, told the BBC, that the aim of the campaign is to prevent the anorexia epidemic sweeping the country by getting to the ‘root of the problem’.
Walker was speaking in reference to 28 studies conducted throughout the UK, Europe, Australia and North America as the media was found to have an indisputable effect upon how women perceive body image. This in turn results in the rise of anorexia with over 725,000 people in the UK affected according to charity Beat.
But Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council Caroline Rush, is certain that they are making the changes needed to help promote a healthy lifestyle as she told the BBC, ‘The #NoSizeFitsAll campaign addresses three key issues around image, cost to public health and body image.’
She continued: ‘This is something that we take very seriously and we support a campaign that raises awareness around public health and promotes a positive perception around body image and eating disorders in schools around the country.’
Rush also assured that the right measurements have been put in place with food and drink provided backstage for the models.
But with London Fashion Week looming, only time will tell if positive changes will be implemented for good…
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