Is a 12 year old, too young to be a catwalk model?

[Fairy Dust]

12-year-old has caused a media frenzy after she was chosen to front one of the world's largest fashion shows.

Blonde-haired, blue-eyed Maddison Gabriel was picked as the official ambassador of Gold Coast Fashion Week in Australia and has also worn a number of revealing outfits for the Queensland event.

The country's Prime Minister John Howard strongly criticised the decision saying it was unacceptable.

He said: "Catapulting girls as young as 12 into something like that is outrageous."

Mr Howard wants Australia to follow the example of Europe and ban models younger than 16 appearing on catwalks.

"There should be age limits, I mean there has to be, we do have to preserve some notion of innocence in our society," he said.

But the 5ft 7ins youngster, who turned 13 yesterday, believed she deserved to win the modelling competition to become the 'face' of the show.

"I believe that I can fit into women's clothes. I can model women's clothes, so I should be able to do it," she said.

"It doesn't matter about age, it matters that you can do the job. Modelling is all I've wanted to do since I was six - I don't think I'm too young."

Maddison has signed an exclusive media deal and contracted an experienced celebrity agent since the furore broke.

Her mother Michelle Gabriel has defended her child's right to model and demanded an apology from the Prime Minister.

"I believe the Prime Minister is getting very doddery," she said.

"He does not know exactly what 13 and 14-year-old girls are like. I used to vote for him. We're trying to get our teenage daughters to act older. I am so happy that I've got a daughter who has got a good head on her shoulders."

And Fashion Week spokesman Kelly Wieler said Maddison was not too young.

"Maddy got in because she was the best contestant - the judges saw that she was fit to do the job."

She added that the schoolgirl would not be modelling swimwear or lingerie.

 

[wvjules]

I think 12 is way too young to be a runway model. Sixteen years of age should be a minimum.

My DD is 12 and there's no way I could imagine her modeling the skimpy, half-there, trashy styles those models model.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I don't have an issue with it.

If a child has the abilities for success and has the parents looking out for them then I say OK.

 

[vettechick99]

It depends I think. Does she have a strong family support? If so, I think it might be ok, even though 12 is pretty young. A lot of young actors and models have turned out fine after doing some pretty adult things - if they have parents who can parent.

But really, she looks 12 to me. I'm surprised she's such a hot ticket. Unless that's "in" nowadays?

 

[Toby'sFriend]

The big question to me is ---

Why do they need a 12 year old to model clothes that are supposedly made for adult women? Is the thought of putting an 18 year old who might actually have a hint of ****s and hips up there so appalling?

As for the 12 year old, she's certainly very pretty. If I were her Mother I wouldn't want to see her strutting around 90% naked though.

 

[Brianne]

She is very pretty--can't deny that a bit.

If she were my daughter, I wouldn't allow it. I would personally prefer that my 12-13 year old act like a kid rather than enter what is typically a rather mature profession without the emotional maturity that goes along with age (well, with most people it does, anyway ) I do think there's a difference between child modeling & catwalk modeling and I'm not opposed to either, but just because she wants to do this doesn't mean she knows what's best for herself at that age.

However, she's not my daughter, so if the parents are fine with her doing this, then it's really no business of mine.

 

[MareQ]

Definitely too young.

She's definitely a beautiful girl - but with all that makeup on and teh plucked eyebrows she looks silly IMO. Like a girl playing with mom's makeup.

They grow up so fast to begin with - why push it?

 

[wendy46001]

I dont see anything wrong with it
There are a lot worst things she could be doing with her time
and if they think she has the personality/desire to do it why not

but there is no way i'd fit into the same clothes as a 12yr old would

 

[KelNottAt]

I wouldn't allow my (beautiful ) DD13 to do it. But, I won't police what other parents choose to do.

For better or worse, she could be the next Brooke Shields, Jodie Foster, or Britney Spears. Whatever the outcome, I don't think it's for me or the government to decide.

 

[Cantw8]

If it were my daughter...no way, sorry. Kids grow up fast enough, why rush it? 12 years old is a child, not a potential sex object

 

[JunieJay]

I don't have an issue with it.

If a child has the abilities for success and has the parents looking out for them then I say OK.

Works for me under these conditions too.

 

[LisaNJ25]

She is 13 now and as tall as me... I have no problem with it. If she is walking the catwalk dressed and not exposing certain body parts I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[Nikel]

I don't have a problem with the modeling of the clothes.

I am concerned about the effects that being so imersed in the industry could have on a girl going through puberty. Her body (assuming she maintains healthy nutritional and fitness practices) WILL change over the next few years. She won't remain the thin, un-curvy person she is now. How will she and her career handle it? The fashion industry portrays such horribly unrealistic body images. And if she tries to beat mother nature to acheive them, it could cause some pretty serious, long-term negative effects on her health and well-being.

 

[nannerbadnanner]

I dunno...I think she's kinda creepy looking. She looks like a little girl wearing way too much make-up to me.

 

[perdidobay]

Just gotta say, this reminds me of one of my favorite episode of AB-FAB.

Magda to Patsy and Eddie: "If the models get any younger they'll be chucking fetuses down the catwalk"

 

[Fairy Dust]

Not a pleasant thought!

I never did get the appeal of Absolutely Fabulous, just not my humour!

Just gotta say, this reminds me of one of my favorite episode of AB-FAB.

Magda to Patsy and Eddie: "If the models get any younger they'll be chucking fetuses down the catwalk"

 

[LadyyRedd]

I personally don't think it's a big deal either as long as one or both of her parents are supervising.

Kimya

 

[Nikel]

Just gotta say, this reminds me of one of my favorite episode of AB-FAB.

Magda to Patsy and Eddie: "If the models get any younger they'll be chucking fetuses down the catwalk"

 

[Daxx]

If she's emotionally ready to handle it and her parents are ok w/it, then who am I to say?! While I'd never let my child do it , if it's what she and her parents want then that's their choice. If she's on the catwalk this young, she'll make a tidy fortune and be able to retire by the time she's 20.

She is v. pretty but has wierd ears. Maybe it's just the photo? Just something I noticed.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

What's the deal? The fashion industry has gotten too much flak for using emaciated models, now they have to use 12yo's?

I don't really care if she and her family choose to let her do it, that's their business. She's tall enough, but she still looks like a child IMO, and I would rather see adult clothing modeled by adult women, not children.