Fashion industry takes action to address skinny model debate

Industry: Self-regulation is the answer, not legislation

The Danish fashion magazine Cover came under fire last month for featuring a photo of an extraordinarily thin model on its cover, bringing into focus the criticism that the fashion industry promotes unhealthy body ideals. But the fashion industry is taking steps to address the issue with the Danish Fashion Ethical Charter.

READ MORE: Fashion magazine apologises for controversial picture

Unlike in France, where it has been reported that the problem may be tackled with legislation whereby models must prove that their body mass index (BMI) is 18 or over, the Danish approach is a form of self-regulation.

The Danish Fashion Ethical Charter has been around since 2007 but it was recently rewritten, with the help of a number of agencies, including an eating disorder support group, to include specific provisions about the health of models.

Some of the requirements are that models receive a health check with screening for eating disorders on an annual basis, models under the age of 16 may not be used and healthy food must be available at photo shoots. It is also suggested that models be taught about diet, nutrition and mental health.

The document prescribes penalties for not fulfilling the requirements. Signing the charter is a prerequisite for participating in Copenhagen Fashion Week and those who do not live up to it will be kicked out of the event. There is also provision for ‘naming and shaming’ of offenders on a blacklist.

Greater impact than fines?
Since the new charter was released on March 3, hundreds of companies have become signatories. Eva Kruse, the CEO of the Danish Fashion Institute, is pleased with the level of support. “We think that the fact that the industry is taking such an active part in the charter will have a much greater impact – also in the long run – than legislation issued by the authorities and fines, which have been discussed, for instance, in France,” she said.

Anne Minor, the chair of LMS, the Danish association against eating disorders and self-harm, is positive about the initiative. “We’re incredibly happy to see that the fashion industry is ready to get its fingers burnt to change conditions for models and to take responsibility for the body image it produces,” she said.

“We believe that the charter will make a difference via, for example, compulsory health checks for models, which we think is the right solution compared to BMI, which cannot of course be used as a measure of physical and mental health.”




  • Advice for expats: Navigating Life as an International in Denmark

    Advice for expats: Navigating Life as an International in Denmark

    Beginning this month, Expat Counselling will be contributing a monthly article to The Copenhagen Post, offering guidance, tools, and reflections on the emotional and social aspects of international life in Denmark. The first column is about Strategies for emotional resilience

  • New agreement criticized for not attracting enough internationals

    New agreement criticized for not attracting enough internationals

    Several mayors and business leaders across Denmark are not satisfied with the agreement that the government, the trade union movement and employers made last week. More internationals are needed than the agreement provides for

  • Let’s not fear the global – let’s use it wisely

    Let’s not fear the global – let’s use it wisely

    Copenhagen’s international community is not just a demographic trend – it’s a lifeline. Our hospitals, kindergartens, construction sites, laboratories and restaurants rely on talent from all over the world. In fact, more than 40% of all job growth in the city over the past decade has come from international employees.

  • The Danish Connection: Roskilde gossip, a DNA scandal & why young Danes are having less sex

    The Danish Connection: Roskilde gossip, a DNA scandal & why young Danes are having less sex

    With half of the population of Copenhagen at Roskilde this week, Eva away in Aalborg and the weather being a bit of a joke , Melissa and Rachel bring you a chatty episode to cheer you up looking into three of the top stories in Denmark this week.

  • A nation turns its hopeful eyes to Jonas Vingegaard

    A nation turns its hopeful eyes to Jonas Vingegaard

    The Tour de France has started and thus the news focus in Denmark for the next few weeks is defined. The double Tour winner will once again compete with the phenomenon Tadej Pogacar to stand at the top in Paris. Many Danes will daily follow whether one of the nation’s great sons succeeds

  • Palestine support voices characterize Roskilde in rain, sun and wind

    Palestine support voices characterize Roskilde in rain, sun and wind

    The 53rd edition of Roskilde Festival ended Saturday night. More than 100,000 people gathered to listen to music, party, drink – and for many to take a stand on the conflict between Israel and Palestine

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.


  • “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    Describing herself as a “DEI poster child,” being queer, neurodivergent and an international in Denmark didn’t stop Laurence Paquette from climbing the infamous corporate ladder to become Marketing Vice President (VP) at Vestas. Arrived in 2006 from Quebec, Laurence Paquette unpacks the implications of exposing your true self at work, in a country that lets little leeway for individuality

  • Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Agreement between unions and employers allows more foreign workers in Denmark under lower salary requirements, with new ID card rules and oversight to prevent social dumping and ensure fair conditions.

  • New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    Kadre Darman was founded this year to support foreign-trained healthcare professionals facing challenges with difficult authorisation processes, visa procedures, and language barriers, aiming to help them find jobs and contribute to Denmark’s healthcare system