"Too Thin" Size Zero Model Banned From London Fashion Week

Size zero model Charlotte Carter, 22, has been banned from London Fashion Week because she is too thin. A top model, she has worked for fashion designers throughout Europe at her current size.

But now the 5ft 10in model is being told by her agency to put on some weight because of her unhealthy appearance. An American size zero is the equivalent of a British size four, and fits a 22-inch waist. A 22-inch waist is far from typical of that of a mature adult woman, and rather, is the average measurement of an eight-year-old girl.

Last year, ultra skinny models took to the catwalks at London Fashion Week, much to the dismay of many who have sought to rid the industry of such unhealthy "standards".

Charlotte Carter admits to having battled with eating disorders since her teens, and said that she always felt she had to be thin to land top modeling jobs.

Throughout her career, the more weight she dropped, the more jobs she'd pick up. But now, with public pressure to stop the use of size zero models, the fashion industry is starting to take notice, and in some cases, the ultra thin are losing jobs. Carter is one of them.

When Carter met with modeling agency Models 1 recently, they were horrified when she removed her jumper and saw how thing she was. They told her that she was too thin, advised to put on a "stone", or for those in the states, about 14lbs. They encouraged her to think about her health.

This is the first time that Carter's weight has been challenged, but at least she seems thankful for the rejection, saying:

"When Models 1 advised me to gain weight it was like a psychological wall coming down,' she said. 'It helped me to realise that I was too thin. I was impressed that an agency was actually addressing my well-being."