French fashion giants LVMH and Kering ban ultra-thin models

MANILA, Philippines – Top French fashion companies LVMH and Kering announced on September 6 that they are banning ultra-thin models – specifically, size 32 (US size 2) female models and size 42 (US size 32) male models – from their advertising and runway shows. 

The companies revealed this in  a charter “to ensure the well-being of models”, which both LVMH and Kering announced on their respective Facebook pages.

“The brands commit to ban [French] sizes 32 for women and 42 for men from their casting requirements, and will thereby require casting agencies to present women and men models who are respectively size 34 or over, and 44 or over,” the charter read.

According to the charter, they will also be banning models under the age of 16 from representing adults in shoots. 

The charter also introduces requirements that promise improved working conditions for models. These include providing a psychologist or therapist to models during their working hours, prohibiting alchoholic beverages in the workplace without prior authorization, and providing transportation for models after 8 pm. 

LVMH and Kering own some of the world’s most luxurious fashion brands. Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Givenchy and Marc Jacobs all fall under LVMH, while Gucci, Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga are owned by Kering. – With reports from AFP/ Rappler.com