Israeli model Adi Neumann

The law was passed Monday requiring models to provide a medical history, dating back at most three months, at every shoot they book for the Israeli market. Their histories must prove that they do not meet the World Health Organization‘s standards for malnutrition. A body mass index — achieved by dividing weight by height —  below 18.5 is considered grounds for malnutrition, according to Dr. Rachel Adato, a gynecologist and the law’s sponsor.

Adato claims that only 5% of women have a BMI that falls below 18.5, although models would certainly be among them. Israeli model Adi Neumann, for instance, says she has a BMI of 18.3, even though she eats well and exercises. Neumann argues that instead of focusing on BMI, the government should ”force actual tests. Make girls go to a doctor. Get a system to follow girls who are found to be puking.”

Neumann has a point, BMI is actually a pretty specious indicator of health when there are a plethora of other factors to consider. According to my BMI, I’m overweight, which basically goes against everything I stand, run and jazzercise for.

For Adato, however, the ends justify the means. “On the one hand, maybe we’ll hurt a few models. On the other hand, we’ll save a lot of children.” A top model agent in Israel, Adi Barkan, also stands beside the new law. Having been in the business for some 30 years, he thinks models nowadays “look like dead girls.”

Adato hopes Israel will serve as an example for other countries but it’s yet to be determined how successful the new legislation will be. The world is an ever-shrinking place — *rimshot* — and the law doesn’t apply to foreign media, so for Israeli youth those images are only a few clicks or a few shekels away.

What do you think, dear reader — is this a step in the right direction? [Washington Post]

Israeli model Adi Neumann

Out of 241 models anonymously surveyed, only 85 responded; their average age was 26, thus the data is skewed towards older and more experienced models. According to the Alliance, “several high-profile supermodels” also completed the survey. Though this was technically anonymous, it was pretty obvious whose survey was delivered via a Swarovski-encrusted Blackberry hurled through the window of Model Alliance headquarters.

Despite its relatively small sampling pool, the survey begins to paint a portrait of the unglamorous side of modeling, where underaged models are exposed to drug use, eating disorders and sexual harassment. For instance, over half of the models surveyed reported being exposed to cocaine — meaning the other half probably just didn’t notice it.

The Alliance is working to regulate the modeling industry and establish rights in the workplace. One of its most important steps on the catwalk of change is the creation of Model Alliance Support, through which models can anonymously and confidentially report sexual harassment and abuse. This initiative comes after models reveled their agents didn’t see a problem with being sexually harassed and  even encouraged the models to sleep with their harassers to advance their careers.

Sure, it sounds like a good idea, but next thing you know you’re Coco from Fame and a seedy photographer is asking you to take off your blouse and “arch your back a little” as you cry into the camera. And all the while you’re asking yourself, why did I follow Terry Richardson up here?

All, or at least most, joking aside, The Model Alliance Industry Analysis has some startling facts and figures worth your perusal — click through for the survey results.

Photos: Christopher Hall Photography

1. The Stride What you're thinking: I'm on my way to werq, get out of my way -- oh, look a camera -- I'm giving -- now I'm walking away. What you're doing: Walking slow enough to get in frame and making sure your legs are spread wide enough apart for a dynamic shot.

2. The Editorial Jump What you're thinking: You know I feel so great right now I'm just going to fly everywhere I go today, while still looking relatively motionless. Oh, look a unicorn...gorjuss. What you're doing: Squatting before jumping and giving face at the apex of your jump.

3. The Pensive Jut What you're thinking: I'm deep in thought -- about what, who cares? But I'm looking at the solution to all my problems way off in the distance...and it just winked at me. What you're doing: Hand on hip, other hand at an opposing but complimentary angle with one leg  straight and the other slightly bent.

4. In Repose What you're thinking: Ugh, it's sooooo hard being this glamorous, but I've got to keep it together. Waiter, where's my goddamn cocktail? Oh, there it is...with a Vicodin chaser. Quelle surprise. What you're doing: Staggering your legs, framing your face with your arms, sucking everything in and finding your light.

5. The Stroll What you're thinking: Oh, look! I'm walking again! This is becoming a habit. I'm going about my way, but for some reason everyone around me keeps dying of envy...and I. Love it. What you're doing: Catwalking towards the camera slowly either giving full face to the camera or feigning distraction.

6. The Broken-Down Doll What you're thinking: I haven't eaten in 4 weeks, my coke dealer isn't picking up his phone and if someone doesn't pour something alcoholic in, on or near me, I'm literally going to die. But I look great, right? What you're doing: Weird angles, lots of slouching, while still showing the garment.

7. The Wistful Coo What you're thinking: I'm caught in a violent hurricane of couture but my inner calm -- brought on by years of yoga and a small army of morally-suspect pharmacists -- keeps me the smizing eye of the storm. What you're doing: A slight hunch, a graceful hand and an expression that says you might not really know where you are.

8. The Dynamic Sit What you're thinking: Yes, this is sitting but you know what this isn't: Super Bowl Sunday. So I'm not lounging back with a bowl of goddamn nachos in my lap. Pardon me while I throw this leg up and concentrate on being effortless. What you're doing: Hunching, creating angles with your legs and space with your arms.

9. The Couture Hunch What you're thinking: I'm so thin that to prevent my ribs from caving in on themselves I have to hold them in place. I may have dropped a lung while in mid-hunch, but I dare you to tell from my face. What you're doing: Arms akimbo, you hunch until you're basically doubling over and sucking in everything while splaying your legs out at awkward angles.

10. The Dynamic Stand What you're thinking: Here I am, world! Take a good long look because I just officially shut shit down and own every one of you. You're welcome. What you're doing: Once again, arms akimbo, but a strong stance that is at once seductive and powerful.

1. The Stride

What you’re thinking: I’m on my way to werq, get out of my way — oh, look a camera — I’m giving — now I’m walking away.

What you’re doing: Walking slow enough to get in frame and making sure your legs are spread wide enough apart for a dynamic shot.

Photographed by Peter Lindbergh and styled by Nicoletta Santoro, the girl once named “Sexiest Woman Alive” by Esquire magazine dons sexy slips and lacy dresses to score a 9.9 on the “OMG she’s effin’ hot” scale. (Ten-point scale, of course.)

Link Love + Pics: FGR

[Above: Crystal Renn]

1. Crystal Renn

Crystal Renn is leading the charge for plus-sized models. Renn, a size 8, posed for five major ad campaigns and seven French Vogue spreads last year alone.

2. Whitney Thompson

You may remember Whitney from America’s Next Top Model season 10 – she won the entire competition. Whitney went on to pose for Forever 21, Saks Fifth Avenue, People Magazine, Seventeen Magazine and a host of other fashion ads and editorials.

3. Marquita Pring

Marquita is a Ford girl who wears size 41-35-46. She’s been featured in Vogue, Vice, Tush, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle.

4. Kate Dillon

Ms. Dillon’s schoolmates dubbed her “Overweight Kate,” and the teasing took its toll. Kate became severely underweight though she won third place in Elite’s Look of the Year contest, earning the then-17-year-old a $75,000 contract. Kate’s malnourished and two-cigarette-pack-a-day lifestyle eventually made her fed up with modeling. She quit the business and moved back into her parent’s house. At the suggestion of a friend, Kate returned to modeling after a short break – this time as a plus-size model. She’s enjoyed modeling more ever since.

5. Gitte Lill

In addition to plus-size modeling, Gitte is also a dancer. The Norway-born beauty is backed by the Ford agency.

6. Natalie Laughlin

W magazine has hailed her as one of “the brightest stars,” and The Wall Street Journal writes that “people in the industry say the brown-eyed, 5-foot-9 model, size 12-to-14, is at the top of her game.” I can’t disagree. Natalie was featured as Liz Claiborne’s “Elizabeth” girl, and she’s earned the title of “Cindy Crawford of plus-size models” by some industry folks.

7. Alyona Osmanova

Alyona didn’t start out as a plus-size, but she was moved into the category. She’s earned a long list of career achievements, including walking for Marc Jacobs, Prada, Chanel and Givenchy. Alyona’s been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, Dazed & Confused and a host of other top-tier magazines.

Lookbooks is holding a New Faces event with an esteemed casting director this coming Thursday, February 3rd. If you think you’re ready for it, sign up on LookBooks New Faces or update your profile and include the following code “Ready for NYC Fashion Week.” under “My look is…“  We will review all submissions and notify you if you’ve been selected!

For this casting, the designers are looking for the following specifications:

Girls

Height: 5’9″

Bust 31″-34″

Waist 24″-25″

Hip 33-35″

Guys

Height: 6’0″ – 6’1″

Jacket 40R/L

Pants 32/34

Good luck to you!?

Photographed by Guy Aroch and styled by Karen Clarkson, Lowe looks wide-eyed and lovely on the March 2011 cover. Below are some highlights from her ASOS interview:

On growing up as the daughter of Pearl Lowe: “I was a kid, so my childhood wasn’t mental to me. You don’t question it, that was just what my life was like. But maybe it means that with the craziness [of modeling], I can always find the calm in the storm.”

On her desire to see curvier models in print: My dream is to see a lot more female shapes in ad campaigns when I look through magazines…my friend was working with Crystal Renn and said she thinks she’s only got a 38-inch hip. Karl Lagerfeld said he was going to embrace her womanly shape and then he just put her face on the ad campaign. Girls are starting to have tits in pictures, but I think it still needs to be about the curve… Real women have hips and an arse, yet loads of models in shows seem to have neither.”

On her style: “Most of my wardrobe is taken up by white floaty or long floral dresses. I like to dress like a fairy and a doll quite a lot, but I do like wearing black too. I don’t think I have a particular style, I think I go for a lot of different things.”

LINK LOVE: ASOS

“The first thing we look for really are healthy bodies, and energy. A lot of the fashion shows you see girls who can just walk and they’re just hangers with outfits hanging on them, but for Victoria’s Secret – it’s a show,” says Miltro.

Watch the ET exclusive of Victoria’s Secret casting below:

Victoria’s Secret Casting Video

Posted to New York Magazine on November 03, 2010

Click to Play | View Details

LINK LOVE:EXCLUSIVE // PHILIP FUSCO BY JON WHITNEY

Model: Tom Nicon
I browsed through Kai Z Feng's flickr few days ago and immediately knew I have to post this photo, but unfortunately now it comes with a very sad text. Tom Nicon passed away yesterday in Milano, circumstances are yet unclear. This is a sad day on the modeling scene, he was supposed to walk for top shows like Versace and Burberry in Milano.

Rest in peace Tom, you'll be missed.

Photo: kai z feng.

LINK LOVE:Tom Nicon

Check out more from Purple Lab here!

“Fashion is very black and white. It doesn’t pay attention to heritage much. They don’t see me as a Dominican girl. They just see the color of my skin. It can be hard, because it’s your heritage and you want to be appreciated for it, but it’s just modeling, so I don’t let it get to me.”

Thanks NY Mag!