THE world is obsessed with weight. Victoria Beckham’s 23in (58.4cm) jeans have had almost as much publicity as the woman wearing them in recent months, while the new Big Thing in Hollywood is a thirst for clothes in size 00.

These garments are designed to fit adult women with waists that are roughly the size of a healthy seven-year-old’s. Average-sized women will, therefore, welcome any sign that someone is making a stand against the vogue for overly skinny models.

However, as Madrid turns its back on models with a body mass index below 18, it is hard to imagine the more prestigious fashion weeks following suit. One may hope that a £100,000 bursary fund from Marks & Spencer to secure a group of top models for London Fashion Week may signify a change in tack. A spokeswoman said: “Marks & Spencer has a broad mix of models that represent the British high street. They are all different shapes, and broad in terms of age and mix.”

But while the company’s models may be diversifying, the bursary is unlikely to bring too many curves to London Fashion Week in the near future. The event’s organiser, the British Fashion Council, has said that it will not interfere with a designer’s choice of model.

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