Overly skinny models were banned from Madrid’s fashion week because they are thought to set an unrealistic image goal for young women. This controversial decision has caused a buzz both inside and outside the fashion industry.

Students at SF State agree with Madrid’s decision and motives but are not concerned about it becoming a trend in the United States.

The ban was issued after insistence from Madrid’s regional government and one of the event’s sponsors because they felt the fashion industry sets unrealistic goals for younger women.

An apparel design and merchandising student, Ray Gin, 31, who was in the middle of finishing one of his own designs, also agreed with the reason for the ban.

“It’s a nice step,” said Gin, “I’m making clothes for women that don’t exist, it’s impossible for younger women.”

Others in the department agreed that models don’t need to be unhealthily skinny to make the designer’s work look good.

“You shouldn’t be making yourself sick for fashion,” said Paul Gallo, an apparel design and merchandising teacher. “A (size) eight is thin enough.”

“It’s a good idea,” said Connie Ulasewicz, an assistant professor of apparel design and merchandising. “The body is a canvas; it doesn’t have to be tiny.”

In the United States the average body mass index for women between the ages of 20 to 29 is 24.4, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Web site. BMI is a relationship between weight and height associated with body fat and health risk.

“Twenty to 24.9 is considered healthy, 17 and under very unhealthy,” said Teresa Leu, a nutritionist in the Student Heath Services.

Although students said Madrid’s fashion week sends the right message, some think the idea of banning skinny is wrong.

“It’ll never happen,” said Hanna Mekonnen, 19, a biochemistry student. “American people buy the skinny model look. They’re brainwashed already.”

Students said they felt if skinny models where banned from shows in the United States it would be considered discrimination, but also said that the fashion industry already discriminates by mostly hiring skinny models.

“That’s all they see,” said Lorry Anderson, a former model and Barbizon Modeling and Acting Center teacher. “We discriminate against fat people, why don’t we discriminate against skinny people?”

“I don’t think anybody should be banned based on sizes, be it too skinny or big.” said Nathan Wright, a 24-year- old history student.

Students agree that the fashion business could use more variety in the models’ sizes and think they should start including women with more realistic appearances.

“Clothes look good on people who are not anorexic,” said Ulasewicz.