LONDON, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- London Fashion Week is threatened by a potential boycott by skinny models who don't want to have to prove they are healthy to participate, a report said.

Clothing designers from around the world could fail to show up for the British showcase, which begins Sunday, if models are required to present a certificate of health for the event, the Daily Mail reported Saturday.

Threats from models and designers reportedly follow a proposal suggested by an inquiry in 2007 into the healthiness of fashion models.

"Industry representatives advise us that any unilateral action by London Fashion Week will mean that models will decline to work in London, which is already the least commercially attractive of the four major fashion weeks," British Fashion Council Chief Executive Hilary Riva said.

The British Fashion Council reportedly has taken steps recommended by the 2007 inquiry, such as forbidding models under 16 from the runway. The council said it is dedicated to requiring health certificates.