July 25th, 2011 
Gabriella Gurner 
ONLY healthy-looking models will be used in this years Melbourne Spring Fashion Week in a bid to revive flagging retail sales across the city.
Organisers hope ditching skinny models and showcasing more realistic body types will encourage shoppers to splurge on the latest trends.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said times had been tough for retailers and it was more important than ever that fashion week showcased clothes for “real people”.
He highlighted the “thunderous applause” at last year’s plus-size shows.
The average Australian woman is size 14-16.
“When our focus is on practical, creative Melbourne design that people can buy and wear, it’s important that people can picture themselves in it,” Cr Doyle said.
“While we do have tall slender athletic models, you’ll also see a range of body shapes and you can be assured that none of them will fall below the BMI that is considered healthy.”
Models will be vetted by casting agents to make sure they are not too thin before they are signed up.
The face of this year’s festival, Australia’s Next Top Model runner-up Sophie van den Akker, is a healthy size eight.
And the recently engaged 20-year-old from Wonga Park threw her weight behind the push to get realistic role models on the catwalk.
“I think it’s fantastic. I think it’s showing everyone in Melbourne that you can find something for everyone,” she said.
“Personally, I wouldn’t want to be any skinnier. I love the healthy look. I do thrive on a lot of sports as well.
“For the girls that are a size zero, that’s great for them but you have to be suited to that specifically. As a role model, I think an eight to 10 is more realistic. I think people are more attracted to that than seeing skin and bone.”
Eating Disorders Victoria executive officer Kirsty Greenwood said the initiative to get more realistic bodies on the catwalk should be applauded.
“It’s refreshing to hear organisers are taking an approach to show a diversity of sizes,” she said.
The 2011 Melbourne Spring Fashion Week from September 5-11 is expected to be the biggest so far, involving more than 100,000 people.
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