Advertisement

Tyra Banks Slams Modelling Industry Standards

America’s Next Top Model host Tyra Banks has admitted her 17-year old self would be unable to book any modelling jobs by today’s standards.

The 38-year old media mogul says modelling requirements have changed so dramatically over the years that as a size four (Australian size 8) she would “never have made it onto the catwalk”.

“Today you are expected to be a size zero,” said Banks. “When I started out, I didn’t know such a size even existed.”

RELATED: Dita Von Teese Axes "Skinny" Models From Her Lingerie Show

Banks says she came to a point in her career where she was told she was “too curvy” to work with certain designers despite her slim frame. And although she was pressured to lose weight, the former supermodel says she chose to turn her curves into an asset.

“In order to continue working, I would’ve had to fight Mother Nature and get used to depriving myself of nutrition,” explained Banks. “In a way, it was my decision not to starve myself that turned me into a supermodel, and later on, a businesswoman.”

Pictured: Banks walks the Victoria's Secret runway in 2000.

Vogue International’s recent decision to endorse healthy body image in their editorials has been applauded by Banks, but other news outlets are questioning how the publication plans to enforce their number one rule: “We will not knowingly work with models under the age of 16 or who appear to have an eating disorder.”

Andrej Pejic Walks The Runway In Bridalwear

“Is there really any way for Vogue to actually enforce these rules when "appearing" to have an eating disorder is completely subjective?” asked a Hearst newspaper. “Why not include a minimum weight or body-mass index that could more scientifically reflect one's health. And like Banks suggests, perhaps there should be a guild that protects models.”

“There needs to be more industry-wide protections for models, and we need to be more consistent with what the acting world does: protect our minors, as well as the health and well-being of models,” confirmed Banks. "When I went to Paris after graduating high school, I saw a model who was 12 years old without any supervision. That wouldn't happen in the acting world.”

What are your thoughts?

Follow marie claire on Facebook for the latest fashion news
Related: Go behind-the-scenes of Kirrily Johnston's MBFWA 2012 show.