It's fashion week time

Never mind Prada and Gucci - pop stars pledging to save the world seems to be the latest fashion trend. Soon to be performing in Kingston, X factor reject Chico Slimani, 36, has joined the debate on size zero models as fashion week hits the capital. "I like my girls swervy, curvy and shaped like an hour glass" says Chico, whose forthcoming single 'Curvy Cola Bottle Body' addresses the issue of female body image.

The argument that London should ban ultra-skinny models from the catwalk continues to rage, with fears that they could encourage eating disorders among fashion fans, particularly young girls. The recent 'size zero' phenomenon, an American term which translates as a U.K size four, provides a target for campaigners to rally against. Chico insists he has a strong belief in the issue, and that is the driving force behind the single. Some may accuse him of jumping on the bandwagon occupied by the likes of Bono and Chris Martin, who regularly use their profiles to raise awareness of important global issues, but he insists this is not the case. "Money is the last thing I'm after”, he says. “I'm just trying to change lives". The smooth singer may seem an unlikely ambassador for this sensitive issue, particularly when he comes out with phrases like "God must love curvy women, because he made so many of them", but his heart is in the right place. He is involved with Beat, a charity which provides help and support for people with eating disorders. Beat's press officer Mary George says: "Chico is concerned about the issues, and we welcome anyone with a high profile supporting our cause."

Whoever they come from, the facts are hard to ignore: the majority of catwalk models have a body mass index of less than 18, which is the World Health Organization's minimum healthy standard. Spain and Italy have already barred models with a BMI of less than 18 from their catwalks after the deaths of 2 young models earlier this year. The British Fashion Council, the organising body responsible for London Fashion Week, says: "We believe that regulation is neither desirable nor enforceable. What will make a difference is the commitment of the fashion industry to change attitudes through behaviour and education."

Wednesday 3 October: Chico at McClusky’s, Thames Street, Kingston. 9pm. £5 (£3 with flyer or N.U.S card). See: www.mccluskys.com

© Sam Blackledge for The London Informer September 2007