Tyra Banks applauds Vogue bosses for new modeling law
Tyra Banks has applauded fashion bosses at Vogue magazine for banning the use of models under the age of 16, insisting the new policy will have a profound affect on the industry.
Last week (begs30Apr12), Vogue editors across the world adopted a new policy to protect the health of models by banning young teens and those suspected of having an eating disorder.
While there was some criticism about the diminishing of jobs, the
ruling was largely well-received in an industry which has long been
accused of setting an unrealistic standard of beauty for young
women.
And supermodel Banks, who got her start at the tender age of 15,
has heaped praise upon Vogue executives, admitting many teens were
destroying their bodies just for the chance to land a feature in
the iconic publication.
She tells CNN, "I think it's amazing that they're (editors) doing
it because they do not have to. There is nothing legal saying that
Vogue had to make this decision. This is something that they are
doing on their own. When I heard about it... I'm like, 'Oh my god
this is a moment to celebrate.'... I live for this, for expanding
the definition of beauty, for not having a stereotype and such a
one physicality that we all have to live up to, so I applaud Vogue.
And this is not just American Vogue, this is in 19 countries, this
is every single Vogue on the entire globe so that's pretty
amazing."
And the America's Next Top Model host is hopeful the change will
inspire others to follow suit.
She adds, "I think it's the beginning of creating almost a guild,
or a union for models. Models, we don't have that, actors have
that. I've done movies and TV shows with children and they are on
the stage for a certain amount of hours then they have to leave the
stage, legally, and rest. Work some more, leave that stage again,
legally, and go to school in a private, sequestered area. The
modeling industry does not have that, and I think that Vogue is
setting an example for that to one day be."