[Kylie Orr]

No surprises that Cindy Crawford’s daughter has secured a modelling gig with fashion house Versace at the ripe old age of ten. Or should I say, Cindy has secured a gig for her. She’s a gorgeous looking kid, but what would you expect as the offspring of Crawford and the not-so-shabby Rande Gerber?

When I first read the article and saw the photo, I was unmoved. So, she’s ten. She’s the daughter of a model. I don’t see anything wholly untoward about the photo – unless you count socks with sandals as a fashion crime.

Reading through the comments it seems that the furore surrounds her pose, the airbrushing and the fact she should be in the sandpit, rather than the shooting studio.

Perhaps I have become immune to the fashion world and its clichéd downfalls – super skinny models, unrealistic body images, airbrushed faces and bodies. It doesn’t interest me, it’s not my currency and apart from occasionally wishing I was model worthy as a teenage girl, it is not really something I aspired to.

My kids weren’t hit with the ugly stick but they aren’t modelling material either, so the world of modelling, particularly child models, is completely foreign to me. As my eldest is only eight, and a boy, I can’t relate to the anger about this image. I’m not sure what is appropriate for a ten year old girl to be wearing and judging by some of the interesting fashion pieces shuffling around the shopping centres these holidays, I can’t say what Kaia Crawford is wearing is that far from the mark. Admittedly, she looks infinitely more gorgeous in the natural shot walking with her mum, where she actually looks like a normal ten year old kid.

Is it sexualisation of young children? Or is it human coathangers to sell clothes? I figure if she is exposed to this potentially harmful industry in terms of body image and self confidence, then she has the best guide: a mother who survived and conquered it all and seems to have emerged as a half decent human being. Well, that’s what the tabloids have us believe.

Far more interesting to me than the-daughter-of-a-model-becoming-a-child-model, is a young girl named Tavi Gevinson aka The Style Rookie who decided to start a blog about fashion. She was 11 at the time, and simply documented her style observations and shared her brave fashion combinations, in an incredibly articulate way, which reflected someone beyond her years. She is quirky. She is original and she is honest. She’s not afraid to be awkward or adventurous. I admire that she is sharing her experiences of growing up through her blog – all the angst and the adverse parts of being a teen. I imagine for a teenage girl, that Style Rookie is much more relatable than the Crawford Clan.

Interviewed by TeenVogue back in 2008, when she was just 12, she was asked:

Who inspires your wardrobe? 


Tavi: Right now, my wardrobe is hugely inspired by tons of other bloggers. The ones that inspire me have individual style, and what's especially inspiring about their dress choices is that they wear what they want with confidence, regardless of trends, rude anonymous remarks, or silly fashion "rules".

Now, that’s one savvy, smart, switched-on child who I would be more than happy for my daughter to look up to. The Young Versace fashion line can become a crumpled page at the bottom of a magazine pile at the doctor’s office for all I care.

What do you think about child models and the fashion industry aimed at our children?

Kylie

[CheriDeMomie]

My DD does modelling, I don't see it as a problem if you are on set and supervising and making sure you're child isn't taken advantage of.

Cindy's daughter is gorgeous and clearly being the daughter of Cindy helped her to get the gig, but I don't see a problem with that either - that's just the nature of the business.

I think the fashion industry is aiming at parents with campaigns like this as clearly the children don't have the money to spend.

I think using Crawfords daughter also cleverly caters to the target market of women buying for their own daughters.

The image is fine. It's nothing like the Miley Cirus image of a couple of years back which was far more sexualising of a young person.

PS. Tavi is quite interesting. Front row with Anna Wintour and all from blogging. I find it interesting that the fashion world actually 'listens' to a 12 year olds opinions!

This post has been edited by CheriDeMomie: 19/01/2012, 01:41 PM

[3_for_me]

I dont care, personally I am more concerned that she is wearing socks with sandals in the picture. I am already scarred by the recent flourescent flasbacks to the eighties please dont tell me my highschool physics teacher was on to something with that!

[Femogan Boop!]

Sigh.

[darcswan]

The image is of a child advertising an age-appropriate childrenswear line. There is nothing inherently exploitative in that. This ad is closer to your average target catalogue (with pricier clothes & production values) than the revolting Vogue Cadeaux spread with little girls in leopard print heels.

[lettyboo]

Just personally I think the skirt she is wearing is too short and I would not encourage my child to follow this trend, otherwise she is a pretty girl just like her mother!

[howdo]

If you look at the difference between the fashion shoot photo and the candid shot on the road you cn see the massive difference with make up.

The fashion shoot photo is sexualised. Not as much as some, but it is sexualised, designed to enhance her facial features with make up and accentuate her legs.

I agree the skirt is way too short. I don't know why the clothes had to be photographed in the same way as clothes for adults. Children are not adults, it's okay for them to look different and it's okay for them to have different modelling shoots.

[countrymel]

A child modelling children's clothes? No I don't think it should worry anyone.

[Pearson]

the gladiator sandals with socks is a bit disturbing, most disturbing of all really...

[EBeditor]

I do think it is a bit adult for 10. The windswept hair, pose, leather jacket, make-up and mini skirt are a bit much for me. She looks like she is imitating an adult fashion model.

Oh, and I love Tavi!