Aussie Model Leading Campaign To Get Thin Models Off The Catwalk

When Australian model Rosie Nelson was told by her agency to keep losing weight until she was "down to the bone", she was understandably shocked.

But instead of listening to the advice, the petite model, who was a tiny size six at the time, said the words spurred her into action - but not in the way her modelling agency might have hoped.

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The London-based model started a Change.org petition asking that the UK adopt policies such as the law passed earlier this year in France, which bans super skinny models from the runways.

It also requires they have a Body Mass Index of at least 18, as well as a weight of around 54kgs at 5'7. Israel, Italy, and Spain all have similar policies - and Nelson is hoping to push for the same at an upcoming All-Party Parliamentary inquiry on body image.

Nelson will be joined by Hayley Hasselhoff and Caroline Dinenage, Minister for Women and Equalities, in a bid to make it a criminal offence to hire undernourished models.

"There are many young girls who are in the same situation and my purpose was to let the world see that somewhere out there, someone is telling a 13-year-old girl that she needs to lose a few pounds," Nelson said.

"There is public demand for change, and the power of social media is empowering girls to fight back against the industry for its wrongdoings."

On Channel 7's Sunrise this morning, Pacific Magazines Fashion and Health publisher, Jackie Frank, said the issue was the responsibility of the fashion industry.

"We do have responsibility. In fact, two years ago I spoke out quite publically about a girl that was on the catwalk. I rang the designer about it and he said 'yes, I made a mistake'.

"The thing is, the model agencies need to take responsibility and make sure the girls are healthy," Frank continued. "But who's to say a certain weight is going to be correct for every model?"

TV presenter Kylie Gillies also weighed in on the debate, jumping to the defense of "naturally thin" models.

"This is an industry that attracts tall, skinny women, who, for the most part, are that way any way," Gillies said.

"You can't say let's celebrate all shapes and sizes and then say to the skinny ones, well actually, we're going to put a law against you'."

Frank said she thought it was important that the entire industry was supportive of the issue, and that agencies needed to use common sense.

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"I know the fashion directors on both my titles would not take a girl who looks ill," said Frank.

"The line is about being healthy or not healthy, and that is important.

"The girls that are at the top of their game lead a healthy lifestyle, otherwise they couldn't do what they do."