BETH DITTO SPEAKS OUT ON SIZE ZERO MODELS

Beth Ditto slams 'brutal and abnormal' modelling industry

Beth Ditto has slammed the modelling industry, branding it a 'brutal and abnormal' industry that is believed to be a factor in the eating disorders that afflict one million people in the UK.

The singer's comments come ahead of the Spring/Summer 08 fashion shows which kick off next week in New York.

Ditto, lead singer of The Gossip, said the industry was a 'brutal business that relies on a beauty standard achieved by 0.00008% of women'. Instead of recognition for achievement, women get 'bombarded with photos of girls with bodies that so, so, so few have, in clothes that will never fit and that you will never be able to afford.'

Despite a much-hyped enquiry by the British Fashion Council addressing the campaign against size zero models, banning skinny models is believed to have been ruled out as it would discriminate against models that are naturally thin.

Ditto, who at 5ft tall weighs 15 stone, objected to women being stereotyped. 'No one shows you a photo of 'Mama' Cass and says, 'See? She's a genius and had an amazing music career.'