New York Fashion Week: Victoria Beckham faces backlash over 'ultra thin' models

[11:07] Designer Victoria Beckham acknowledges attendees after presenting her Spring/Summer 2016 collection — Designer Victoria Beckham acknowledges attendees after presenting her Spring/Summer 2016 collection during New York Fashion Week in New York, September 13, 2015. Reuters/Andrew Kelly

Victoria Beckham is under fire for using thin models during her runway show for the New York Fashion Week (NYFW). Victoria reportedly didn’t do justice to her previous statement when she said she will not use overly thin models to parade her fashion wears.

According to The Guardian, back in 2010 Victoria had said that she “wouldn’t want to use very skinny girls” for her runway shows. However, that was not what viewers saw at the New York Fashion Week, when these young thin girls walked the runway to showcase her spring 2016 collection.

Lorna Garner, chief operating officer of the eating disorder charity B-eat, has warned of the misconception Victoria’s models could give to young people. In a statement shared by The Guardian, Garner said these “ultra thin” models might become the “thinspiration” of the younger generation suffering with eating disorders.

“We know that some young women suffering from eating disorders take these types of photos and put them inside their wardrobe doors, using them as a goal to work towards. These type of images do not cause eating disorders but they escalate and exacerbate existing conditions. There is overwhelming evidence that points to these images having a very negative and damaging effect,” Garner said according to The Guardian report.

The Telegraph also quoted Caroline Nokes, the MP leading an all-party parliamentary group on body image, about her description of Victoria’s models at the New York Fashion Week. Nokes said her models set “unrealistic ideals” for the young people to achieve what she called as “anorexia chic.”

“Beckham herself has said she wants her designs to be for everybody. She has a great opportunity to show they can be for everybody and has chosen instead to use models that are incredibly thin,” Nokes said.

Sam Smethers, chief executive of equality organisation for the Fawcett Society, also described Victoria’s models as “unhealthily waif-like.” In a statement shared by The Guardian, Smethers said the image that these models give to young women is “quite damaging” and said Beckham can actually use her power and influence to change this stereotypical view on models.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.

Victoria beckham: I'm designing for real women *models are all super skinny teenagers and her clothes are overpriced*
— Corrine (@corrinuzz) September 13, 2015

@victoriabeckham OMG she looks emaciated and needs a good feed poor young girl under pressure to be a skinny minny.
— Sarah Manktelow (@fartleberry) September 13, 2015