Spaniards: Thin Models Out of Style

Sept. 10, 2006 — -- The organizers of Spain's fashion week in Madrid are rocking the fashion world after saying the standard for runway models is too skinny. Now, to walk on the Spanish catwalk, a model who is 5-feet-9-inches tall has to weigh at least 123 pounds.

In fashion centers such as New York, Paris and Milan, models have to be more than just thin to land on top runways. They have to be super thin. The average runway model is 5-feet-9-inches tall, and weighs just 110 pounds.

Some people believe the new decree is a step in the right direction.

"I can understand why they want to portray a certain image of a healthier woman," said fashion editor and author Kelly Killoren Bensimon, "especially in Spain where the women have beautiful hair, beautiful teeth, and beautiful skin."

Madrid's model requirements remain small compared to the average American woman, who is 5-feet-4-inches tall and weighs 142 pounds.

But it's good news for models who struggle with their weight.

"There's so many models that I know, my contemporaries, that tried so hard to be so thin, and then became plus-size models because they couldn't," Bensimon said.

But models shouldn't start packing on the pounds. Madrid fashion week is just a small show in the international world of haute couture. For the leading forces in fashion, ultra thin is still very in.