Aussie fashion show dubbed 'the hunger games'

Herald online

8 Apr, 2014 04:05 AM3 mins to read

Models at Alex Perry's show have been criticised for being too thin. Photo / AFP

Two Australian models have hit back at claims that unhealthily thin women are appearing at Australian Fashion Week.

The latest outrage over super-skinny models comes after Cassi Van Den Dungen walked for Alex Perry and Ellery on Monday.

Photos showed her looking gaunt and bony on the runway amid claims she had been in hospital just before the show.

Mia Freedman, the creator of website mamamia.com.au, dubbed the show "The hunger games", while Jackie Frank, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire was compelled to phone one model's agent to inquire after her health.

"When I saw those legs I nearly died," she told The Daily Telegraph.

"I rang the model agent and said, 'Why is that girl walking down the runway when she's clearly not healthy?'"

But the former Australia's Next Top Model runner-up and mother-of-one has told critics via Instagram to "deal with it" and posted photos of her meals.

"Lunch. Nice to have a break between shows," was the caption on her bagel with jam and a flat white. She used the hashtags #lovefood #love my job, #iamwhoiam and #dealwithit.

Another shot was of a fruit platter, yoghurt and pastries with the comment, "Love catering at fashion week".

Amanda Ware, a former winner of Australia's Next Top Model, said models "eat more food than anyone else" and most of her colleagues are simply born slim.

"I've seen us models eat at a restaurant and we put away probably more food than anyone else," Ware said backstage at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia on Tuesday before to stepping out in a size six figure-hugging Ginger & Smart dress.

"I know most of these girls personally, and that's how they naturally are," she said.

"To be honest I think models eat more than anyone else.

"We carry snacks in our bags, we eat healthily."

Ginger & Smart designer Genevieve Smart said the runway models are well fed during fashion week.

"We make sure they're well looked after before the show, that everyone is eating and keeping their energy up," she said.

"We've both got young daughters, so it's very important to us that the girls are healthy and that they look after themselves."

Kathy Ward from Chic Management, who provided models for the Carla Zampatti show on Sunday, says the weight debate is a complex issue and a double-edged sword for the models.

"We make sure they (the models) are fit and healthy and in the best position to secure the jobs," Ward said.

"If they don't fit the sample sizes then they don't get the job," she said.

The fashion industry has long come under fire for their tiny sample sizes which promote the development of unhealthy eating habits.

Models feel intense pressure to fit the sizes or face loosing their livelihood.

Brazilian stunner and Victoria's Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio headlined Alex Perry's runway and told Australia's breakfast television she enjoys eating bacon and egg sandwiches before her shows.