It’s official: superskinny models are banned in France

In France, where women have the magical ability to drink, smoke, and eat whatever they want and still look great, it was announced Friday that there will be weight guidelines for models who have future plans to strut the runway or appear in advertising campaigns.

A newly passed law requires that catwalkers maintain a Body Mass Index of at least 18, and a weight of about 121 lb. for a height of roughly 5’7.” They have to keep these measurements before being hired for a job and also throughout.

The measure stems partially from the 2007 death of French model Isabelle Caro, who died after a long bout with anorexia.

France joins Israel, Spain, and Italy in establishing guidelines to protect the young and impressionable girls who take to the runway. They often are thrown into the mix, sans guidance, and with the pressure of their peers and older girls, who may or may not be supportive. (Imagine Mean Girls on steroids.)

There is a clause that will make fashion houses and advertising agencies take note: Should these regulations not be met, there will be fines of up to $80,000 and potentially six months in jail for any staff member who is involved. Even though stripes are perpetually in, prison is not chic for anyone.

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