The Reality Reports

The Movement To Protect Models: Several countries have taken legal action to address concerns about dangerously thin models in the fashion industry. Israel led the way in 2012 by passing legislation requiring models to maintain a minimum body mass index.  Spain and Italy followed with similar laws in 2013, and France joined them in 2015 with its own regulations that went into effect in 2017. These laws aim to combat eating disorders in the modeling profession and prevent the fashion industry from promoting unhealthy body standards to young people.  The legislation requires models to provide medical proof that they meet minimum health requirements before agencies and fashion houses can hire them for runway shows or advertising campaigns.

A Bold Idea In A Conservative Market: In the early 1970s, buying lingerie in the United States was uncomfortable for many men. Stores were small, sales clerks were often women, and the experience could feel awkward or embarrassing.  This cultural reality set the stage for a business decision that would later shape one of the most recognizable brands in retail history. When Victoria’s Secret was founded in 1977 by Roy Raymond, it was created with men in mind first, not women.