Lagerfeld shrugs off skinny model fears
POSTED: 8:51 a.m. EDT, October 4, 2006
Adjust font size:
PARIS, France (Reuters) -- German designer Karl Lagerfeld on Wednesday shrugged off concerns about the fashion industry's obsession with ultra-thin models, noting countries such as France rather had problems with a rise in overweight people.

Madrid last month sparked a controversy when it banned excessively thin models from its catwalks after accusations their appearance may cause eating disorders in young women.

But the runways in Paris this week have been filled by girls with child-like figures and stick-thin legs.

"We don't see anorexic (girls). The girls are skinny. They have skinny bones," Lagerfeld told reporters after his show, which saw models parade out in tiny short dresses, barely covering their almost non-existent behinds.

Asked whether the fashion industry was to blame for eating disorders of many young girls who were starving themselves, the designer said: "No, that is something to sell papers."

The pony-tailed Lagerfeld, who has himself drastically shed weight, is presenting clothes for his Karl Lagerfeld label in Paris, as well as for fashion house Chanel.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/10/04/france.models.reut/index.html