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Fashion sector demonstrates its social responsibility

12 Jul '08

4 min read

Exactly five months to the day after German Federal Health Minister Ulla Schmidt attended the Igedo Fashion Fairs Düsseldorf the Igedo Company and the Minister presented the “National Charter of the German Textile and Fashion Sector” to the public in Berlin.

In concert with the GermanFashion Modeverband, the DMI – Deutsches Mode-Institut and the licensed model agencies association VELMA the Igedo Company put together the charter as part of the German federal government's initiative “Life has Weight – Together against the Slimming Mania”.

With the charter the German fashion sector wishes to send out a clear signal. The aim here is to raise public awareness about a healthy body image and to trigger a change in mindset through joint commitment.

The German textile and fashion sector has a variety of very good examples here proving that fashion creativity can go hand in hand with a positive and healthy body image.

“We are sending out a signal in the fight against the unhealthy slimming mania. The National Charter of the Textile and Fashion Sector is a milestone.

Three major associations and one trade fair organiser in the fashion industry are sending out a clear signal here against unnatural and unhealthy body images,” explained Federal Health Minister Ulla Schmidt at the signing ceremony.

“With the charter the German fashion sector demonstrates its social responsibility. I am delighted that the charter consists not only of a declaration but also very specific recommendations.

I invite all interested parties in the textile and fashion sector to participate in this joint campaign and to also sign the charter.”

“With each individual signature the German fashion sector will be sending out a signal in the months ahead even though the frequently cited problem of 'anorexic models' may not really exist in Germany in that way,” explained Igedo CEO Frank Hartmann in Berlin.

“Much more by signing the charter all signatories are admitting their social responsibility. The aim here is to trigger a change in mindset amongst children, young people and adults towards the current ideals of beauty. We must and want to set a good example here.”

Hartmann said he wished to breathe life into the charter with very specific measures. For instance, different body images will already be featured in the fashion shows at the forthcoming Igedo Fashion Fairs (27 to 29 July): So-called “oversize” fashion will also have its own show thereby becoming a firm fixture at the Igedo Fashion Fairs.

Furthermore, the Igedo Company will undertake to continue its policy of booking models considerably over the set body mass index of 18.5 and aged at least 16 years old.

Thirdly, the Igedo Company undertakes to actively promote the charter in the sector, both amongst its exhibitors and beyond the trade fair at all appropriate events.

“The four founding signatories put the charter together with the health ministry. However, we do not want to be an elite group and certainly not a 'closed shop',” Hartmann went on to explain.

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