Australian Fashion Week, Skinny Model Debate?

Australia did it again. After making a heavy media coverage for the infamous turning down of a 14-year old supermodel, the Australian Fashion Week almost lost one of its runway models after being pulled out by her modeling agency from the fashion show for weight loss issue.

The 23-year old, five-feet 11-inches (180 cms) tall model Stephanie Carta was pulled out of the show by Australian model agency Chic Management. Modeling for fashion designer Michelle Jank, she was pulled out on Monday when her loss weight became obvious since moving to Paris last November.

The model, however, was allowed back onto the catwalk a day later, after her agency was reassured that she was fit and well. Nevertheless, her catwalk appearance was lessen to eight shows instead of the original fifteen.

The agency denied allegations of anorexia problems but told the press instead that the model suffered from glandular fever that caused her her weight.

Will this meant a stricter rules for the modeling community then?

The organizers of the Australian Fashion Week were not bothered by considerations for stricter modeling rules to avoid skinny models for their runway shows. Says the head of the fashion show, there was no reason for organizers of the 13th annual event to intervene or draft stricter rules to conform with some overseas fashion shows that state what body mass index models should have.

The reason? The "size zero" was not much of a concern in Australia where most models tend to have higher BMIs given a range of environmental factors. Australian models tend to be healthier and more athletic body because there was not much pressure in the country for its models to be extremely thin.

If skinny model is not a problem for the country, what could be an issue for the Australian fashion industry then? Modeling agency spokeswoman, Kathy Ward, blurted out a witty reply.

“If designers do decide they want smaller models, then that is a problem for Australian models.”