Fashion week is supposed to be about tailoring and texture, hemlines and heels. But this week, all eyes will be on pronounced rib cages, protruding hip bones and hollow-eyed faces. After years of controversy about unhealthy models, New York City - America's fashion capital - is being put on notice. "People point fingers at the people who are walking the runways,” said Glamour Magazine’s Deputy Editor of Health, Wendy Naugle. “They say, ‘oh she's too skinny, they need to be heavier.’ The Council of Fashion Designers of America released new guidelines just weeks before February's fashion week in Bryant Park. The new guidelines include keeping models under 16 off the runway, educating the fashion industry about the dangers of eating disorders, providing healthy meals and snacks backstage at fashion shows, and requiring models with eating disorders to seek professional help.
The first show on the catwalks at Bryant Park was the Heart Truth show, an annual event in which celebrities wear red dresses. Heart Truth is part of the Red Dress project, a federal initiative lead by first lady Laura Bush, to raise awareness about heart disease. The Heart Truth show was attended by Laura Bush, who wore a red Bill Blass skirt suit. She was accompanied by Blass designer Carolina Herrera and Michael Vollbracht. Actress Angela Bassett strutted the runway wearing a dress by designer Carmen Marc Valvo.
After the Heart Truth show came the first real preview of the fall styles that attracts editors, retail buyers and stylists to Fashion Week. Shows continue through Feb. 9, with designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs and Vera Wang on the schedule.
