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By
Mark Duff
BBC News, Milan
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| Italy's
fashion capital, Milan, has announced a
new catwalk code of conduct to protect
young models vulnerable to anorexia and
exploitation.
The move follows the ban slapped on
so-called skinny models by the Spanish
government earlier this month. The
new code was launched as the city marked the
start of Milan fashion week and will take
effect in February. |
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This fashion week opened
with a parade of more shapely women, specially
dressed by designer Elena Miro.
Anorexia 'phenomenon'
This curtain-raiser to Milan fashion week
was a sign of things to come.
Speaking at the show, the city official in
charge of coordinating the new code of conduct
- and promoting the city's fashion industry -
said it sent out a clear message that Milan
was not prepared to tolerate the exploitation
of vulnerable young women with their hearts
set on a modelling career.
"We will work together with modeling
agencies, with the chamber of commerce for
fashion- |
and
with doctors to ensure that above all modeling
agencies and stylists do not favor this
phenomenon of anorexia."
Milan's first woman mayor, Letizia Moratti,
has backed the campaign to ban
anorexic-looking models.
Under Milan's new code, which is due to
come into force in time for the next fashion
week, in February, models will have to carry a
medical certificate showing they are healthy.
In addition, younger, school-age models
will have to be accompanied by a tutor or
guardian.
The new code also aims to ban rogue,
unlicensed, modeling agencies that trap young
women into trading sex for hopes, rarely
fulfilled, of a life in fashion.
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