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Note: Most models are consumed with watching their weight, but proposed legislation could prevent them dying on the job
Will the country's fashion models become lifesaving role models? This was the heavy topic being discussed in the cabinet and Knesset last week around the preliminary reading of a bill aimed at reducing the number of superthin models suffering from larger-than-life eating disorders.
The bill, which could make "heroin chic" a bad trip down memory lane, was initiated by Kadima MK Rahel Adatto, a physician, and Likud MK Danny Danon, who chairs the Knesset Committee for the Rights of Children. But the man putting all his weight behind it is Adi Barkan, who runs one of the country's most successful modeling agencies. After taking a break from the business for a few years, Barkan made a comeback with his Simply U agency which makes a point of employing only models who pass a weight test.
Barkan admits he is making up for past sins by pushing for the legislation and social change that shows that beauty is more than skin deep.
Hungry for success, most models would eat their hearts out for a good contract. But they wouldn't eat real food. That would change if Barkan has his way. His commitment only deepened when, in 2007, 33-year-old Hila Elmalich died in his arms as he rushed the anorexic model to the hospital.
There...