Dr. David Herzog’s Work with the Council of Fashion Designers of America

Dr. David Herzog, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, is an internationally renowned expert on eating disorders.  He is board certified in pediatrics, child and adolescent psychiatry, and general psychiatry and has authored over 280 publications. Dr. Herzog founded and directed the Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and, prior to that, the Harvard Eating Disorders Center at Harvard Medical School.

For several years, Dr. Herzog has worked with the fashion industry to change female size standards from those that glorify extreme thinness to those that support health.  In February of 2010, he served as moderator for a panel discussion titled “The Beauty of Health: Resizing the Sample Size.”  Hosted in New York City by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), this event convened nearly 150 leaders of the fashion industry to address concerns about the increasing number of unhealthy, too thin models.  The outcome of the discussion was the CFDA recommendation that models must be at least 16 years of age.

In March of 2010, Dr. David Herzog hosted 3 fashion luminaries – Anna Wintour, Michael Kors and Natalia Vodianova  – at a Harvard Business School panel discussion titled “Health Matters: Weight and Wellness in the World of Fashion.” Over 700 people – students, parents, educators and members of the press -- attended this event, which focused on the creation of the CFDA’s Health Initiative and its role in promoting realistic body images.  One of the many highlights of the evening was Mr. Kors’ pledge to follow the CFDA’s recommendation to stop hiring models under 16 years old.  He was the first leading U.S. designer to commit to this reform in front of a public audience.

Dr. Herzog continued to collaborate with the CFDA and its President, Diane von Furstenberg, to address beauty and health.  He and Ms. Furstenberg coauthored an essay titled entitled “Healthier Standards,” which called upon everyone in the fashion industry – designers, casting directors, agents, fashion-magazine editors, and show producers – to join forces in support of the Health Initiative’s efforts.  Ms. von Furstenberg reinforced this message when she spoke at the Harris Center’s March 8, 2011 Public Forum about the topics of empowerment, resilience and health. 

Early in 2011, the CFDA Health Initiative launched its Ambassador Program, which allowed very well known and respected models to serve as mentors to their younger peers.  The Program’s inaugural event – a seminar for models ages 16-20 – took place on February 7^th in New York City at DNA Model Management.  At this event, renowned model Stella Tennant shared her insights and advice based on her personal experience. Alongside Stella and CFDA Executive Director Steven Kolb was Dr. David Herzog, who offered guidance and expertise. 

The CFDA Health Initiative works year-round to make a difference on runways and in the pages of magazines.  The Initiative shared with the fashion community a document created by Dr. Herzog elucidating the warning signs of eating disorders; and every season, Ms. von Furstenberg sends out a letter to the industry reminding everyone about the importance of not hiring models under 16 and highlighting the progress of the Models Ambassadors program.