ARTICLE · 19 AUGUST 2015

Lorna Jane looking for a size 8 model – discriminatory or not?

Coleman Greig Lawyers

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The action wasn't discriminatory as it was taken because of the inherent requirements of the particular position or role.

AustraliaEmployment and HR

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Australian active wear designer, Lorna Jane, landed herself in hot water recently for advertising for a Receptionist/Fit Model who needed to be a size "small" with specific bust, waist, hip and height measurements. Talk about discriminatory!

Or was it?

A closer look at the ad shows that the duties of the role were split between receptionist duties and assisting the design team with fittings of new garments. Lorna Jane hit back against allegations of discrimination and size-ism by explaining that the role of a Fit Model is to ensure that a particular garment is made to size. Quite simply, to make sure that a size 8 garment fits a size 8 body, you need a size 8 body to measure it against.

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