Newzity

Yes, according to the Australian Fashion Week (AFW) organizers. After their initial reluctance that followed public outcry, they finally adopted a minimum age of 16 for the show and dropped 14-year old Polish model Monika Jagaciak.

Until now there was no age limit for models in Australia. Only last year, there was a protest when Gold Coast Fashion Week featured a 12 year old model, and the show adopted 16 as the minimum age. The London Fashion Week also adopted the same minimum age for their show last year. However, the AFW founder Simon Lock initially rejected the idea that the 14 year old Monika Jagaciak was too young and said:

“There’s been criticism of the industry in the past for promoting the Lolita syndrome, but that’s something we will not stand for. The designers love these models as coat hangers for their clothes. They don’t want to exploit their sexuality in any way whatsoever.”

But faced with outrage from both the industry and public in general, the organizer reversed course and adopted 16 year as the minimum age. It is interesting that though he rejected the idea of presenting a young girl in sexual light, he was comfortable with using women as coat hangers. Some say the obsession with thin looks drive the shows to turn to pre-pubescent girls even before they show any sign of womanhood.

Unfortunately, AFW decision won’t stop the industry from featuring young girls. Monika herself was a cover girl for Harper’s Bazaar way before this controversy. And there are plenty of other even younger models around. And it is not just the industry, the public and the parents are at least complaisant, if not outright encouraging.

Here is a clip from AFW 2007