Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman claims thin models do not cause eating disorders

The comments were made ahead of a parliamentary group’s investigation into the issue

Ms Shulman has been the editor-in-chief of Vogue for 23 years ( Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

Alexandra Shulman, the editor-in-chief of British Vogue claims thin catwalk models should not be blamed for eating disorders and low self-esteem amongst young women.

According to The Telegraph Ms Shulman’s comments will be aired on ITV on Monday as part of a news segment discussing the all-party parliamentary group on body image’s investigation into whether new laws should be introduced to protect models from becoming too thin.

Ms Shulman reportedly said: “I think it’s extremely unfair to think that a model who is extremely skinny should not be on the catwalk, because if somebody will attach their own feelings about their own self-image, possibly the problems they’ve got with an eating disorder or something, to that girl.

“It’s very easy to say that a skinny model is responsible for encouraging young women to feel bad about themselves, but I absolutely strongly believe that is not the case.

“None of us probably feel that great about how we look, the question is when does that feeling of dissatisfaction turn into something that is really harmful. The point I’m making is that in the main it’s not the generality of looking at a model that is that tipping point.”

Ms Shulman also questioned the dignity of the model if laws are brought in to prevent very thin women from modelling.

“I can’t think of anything more degrading and more appalling for girls who are models than being measured and weighed like they’re a kind of heifer.”

However, Ms Shulman, who has been at the helm of the Condé Nast title since 1992, did say if the model herself is suffering from an eating disorder it would be “absolutely unacceptable” to let them walk on the catwalk.

The all-party parliamentary group, headed by Conservative MP Caroline Noakes will investigate the possibility of new laws being brought in to prevent very thin models from walking in fashion shows.

The group are debating the issue following a petition started by 23-year-old model Rosie Nelson. Ms Nelson is calling “to bring in new laws to protect models from getting dangerously skinny, the change.org petition has so far garnered over 100,000 signatures.

In April, France introduced a law to criminalise the use of models “whose Body Mass Index (BMI) is lower than levels proposed by health authorities and decreed by the ministers of health and labour”.