Problem and Contributing Causes
Models falling during fashion shows is happening worldwide and injuries sustained include broken ankles, toes and severely strained or torn muscles. An injury can put a model out of work for months or even permanently.
Supermodels such as Jessica Stam, Naomi Campbell, Iekeliene Stange, Karlie Kloss, Laura Stone and Sasha Pivovarova are just a few that have taken hard hits with embarrassing consequences.
There are several reasons that cause models to lose their balance. Often, runway surfaces are dangerously slippery or feature risky obstacles purposely placed there for the models to avoid or walk on. It’s part of the show. Catwalks have been set on fire, placed under water and turned into shag carpets.
When a model comes to work intoxicated, this is like mixing water with electricity at a fashion show. Incidents include walking off the runway, staggering into other models and tripping on steps.
Dresses too long have caused a few to stumble and hit the floor.
Sometimes a model will not use common sense and try and show off, not paying attention to what she/he is doing. Recently, when a model was acting inappropriately at a poolside fashion show, she fell into the water and seriously injured her leg.
At some events, the surface of a runway is not built properly and models have literally fallen through the floor.
The Most Common Reason
The main reason models fall is the exceptionally high stilettoes they are required to wear by designers for their shows. According to fashion model Allison Bryant, former instructor at Barbizon Modeling and Acting School of Atlanta, “Models are finding it especially difficult to wear heels that are above 4 inches. These stilettos are so high that they are constantly compromising the models’ coordination, causing several to fall and injure themselves”.
Although outrageous footwear puts a marketable sexy spin on outfits hoping to be sold, the safety of the models is invaluable and has been overlooked for too long.
A Significant Turning Point
Runway safety made international headlines recently when supermodels Abby Lee Kershaw, Natasha Poly and Sasha Pivovarova were cut from Alexander McQueen’s Spring/Summer 2010 fashion show for refusing to wear the designer’s 10-inch-tall Armadillo shoes.
Celtic Collection Model Wendy Powell supports their decision and stated in an interview that “Many shoes worn on the runway are shaped so that the models’ legs are not strong enough to balance on them, causing them to fall. I wonder why anyone on Earth would even want to wear them”.
Resolution Will Take Time and Work
It is time to see safety changes in the fashion industry. The most important issue is for designers to provide uncompromising safety conditions specific to each model’s performance. Models are more important than money or the designs they wear combined.
Many designers are sensitive to these concerns and do their very best to reduce potential accidents encountered on catwalks. However, some are not and place their models in dangerous situations just to sell the clothes.
It is important that models continue standing up for themselves and join together to say no to unhealthy working conditions and treacherous footwear.
Convincing some designers to change their agenda, look and signature designs that are risky to models will not be an easy task and is not going to happen before the next fashion show. However, these problems are only going to get worse if they continue to be ignored.
Model safety has become the most important fashion show priority.
Sources
- Bryant, Allison. Telephone Interview. 4 May 2011.
- Powell, Wendy. Telephone Interview. 20 May 2011.
Lewis Hales - Lewis Hales is a counselor, journalist and historian specializing in continental Celtic society, the insular Celts of ancient Britain and ...
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