Designer clothing in Spain to be standardized

by Bethany Sanders (Subscribe to Bethany Sanders's posts)
Jan 25th 2007 9:00AM

Spain shook up the fashion world last year when they banned too-skinny models from the runway of their main fashion show, Madrid's Pasarela Cibeles, because they were concerned about creating an unhealthy image for young consumers.

Now the country's Health Ministry is taking things a step further and asking designers to standardize their sizes. Do you know how you can buy a size 10 in one store and have it fit perfectly, but a 12 is too tight in the next? That won't happen anymore in Spain, and major designers like Zara and Cortefiel have agreed to participate. In addition, store mannequins are getting a makeover. Participating stores will be required to create window displays with clothing no smaller than a size 40 (an 8 in the United States). In addition, a size 46 (a U.S. size 16) will no longer be labeled as "plus-size."

The Spanish government say they developed this program so that the standards put out by the fashion industry more closely resemble reality, and they say (rightly so, in my opinion) that "beauty and health go hand in hand."

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Comments (9)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

ABCDEFG 1-25-2007 @ 11:08AM

ESTO ME PARECE MUY BIEN !! SALUDOS DE USA !!
EL MEJOR PAIS DEL MUNDO

Yatrik 1-25-2007 @ 11:08AM

Bravo! Spain should be commended for their sensitivity to this ignored but very important issue.

spacediva3600 1-29-2007 @ 9:06AM

My heart has always been in Spain, and now they have proved themselves to truly be a modern country and a step ahead of the world! GRACIAS!

Erin 1-29-2007 @ 9:54AM

I'm very impressed that a smaller country has the balls to start this trend. Hopefully my country will follow.

Kam 4-30-2007 @ 7:51PM

yay for spain!

lucky 1-29-2007 @ 4:47PM

I went to Spain last summer and everytime I hear about that wonderful country its always something good; this is no different. I personally experienced that dillema where a pair of pants fit one place and the same size didnt fit somewhere else. also when i took a culture class they said that one of their country's biggest problems is anorexia, and this article truly proves that the govt cares. viva España.

Taylor 1-29-2007 @ 5:54PM

Am I the only one that doesn't like this? Hello a size 16 is a plus size changing the name wont change you hips/waist. As for changing the mannequins I am not for that either I mean it looks better when its smaller plain and simple. The fashion industry does not have to resemble reality it has to resemble what sells and when it comes to that "Thin is in."

Paula Galvan 1-29-2007 @ 9:19PM

BRAVISIMO, BRAVO, HALLELUJAH! It is about time someone realized that size 16 is an average size and not a plus size. Also, plus size women (i am a 16) cannot find the cutsie clothes the smaller women get to choose from unless we go to a plus size store. I want to move to spain!

jamala 1-29-2007 @ 7:00PM

i like the actions spain has taken.
and to taylor....
16 isnt plus size when the mean size of women ranges from an 8-12...
i dont get it.
its not suppose to make people feel better about their weight. its suppose to display reality.
runway shows are one thing... but regular stores need to show a more "average girl".