Likewise, a spokesperson for Condé Nast, publishers of Vogue and Glamour, says: "We have a policy of not using underage models in any of our titles. If we see someone younger, we'll just keep an eye on them until they are older."
In Milan, though, a lack of regulation has seen girls such as the Estonian model, Tiiu, treading the catwalk at just 15.Ī spokesperson for Select Models in London confirms: "There isn't a specific law about age - it's more an unspoken rule within the industry.
In France, the Chambre Syndicale, organisers of Paris Fashion Week, have imposed a lower limit of 16 for catwalk work. The fashion world has begun to take steps to protect young girls. "The girls are often semi-naked, frequently smoking and drinking." "Backstage is not a place for a 12-year-old," says one stylist. While designers love their boyish frames and perfect skin, many argue that pre-pubescent girls should not be working in an environment that is often bitchy, highly competitive and image obsessed. The fact that a 12-year-old model is in regular work has renewed the argument about whether using very young girls in advertising campaigns or on the catwalk is ethical. If anything, we try to keep the focus away from it because people expect some immature schoolgirl." Holba says: "We don't use her age to sell her. Her agent has been told on numerous occasions that she has the presence of Kate Moss, Gisele Bundchen and Jerry Hall on the catwalk - all models who achieved their first international success before they hit 16. Many clients, including McQueen, are astounded by her physical maturity. Heinz Holba, the agency's director, signed Gerren on the spot and has been inundated with requests for her to work ever since. LA Models' address was on the back so we went there." "I told her she was too young to enter but that, if she was really keen, we would visit an agency. It offered a $250,000 contract prize," says Michele. Her steep rise to success began last year when she was handed a flyer for a modelling competition while out shopping with her mother, Michele, near their West LA home. "If modelling goes pearshaped," she says, "I want to be a vet." And, like many pre-teens, she eats junk food by the bucketful. She never misses volleyball practice or church meetings. This is all a sharp contrast with her home life - she isn't allowed to wear make-up when she's not working, and her bedroom floor is covered with Barbie dolls, skates and schoolwork.
This week she will be a guest on 20/20, the high-profile American chat show, and next weekend she will be working with David Beckham's favourite designer, Roberto Cavalli. She is the youngest person ever to be signed with the LA Models agency and is being fêted as the next Naomi Campbell.Īs well as making her debut at the McQueen show in the US, she has appeared in seven catwalk shows, done a shoot for Teen Vogue magazine, and is in the new advert for Volvo. "I guess I'm just a natural," she says, grinning.ĭespite her age, Gerren is currently the fashion world's hottest property. Any nerves seem to evaporate, though, as she saunters down the catwalk, giving no one cause to believe she is anything but an experienced model.Īfterwards, her agent excitedly declares her a hit - "Everyone loved her!" - and Gerren herself is unfazed by the stir she has caused. Her agent confides that she has been practising her walk in front of a mirror. Although the McQueen organisers are aware of her age, no one wants to draw attention to it. "Whatever you do, just don't act like you're 12," he warns. Her agent has told her not to open her mouth, worried her voice will betray how young she is. The only difference is that she is not yet in her teens.
#Jailbait webcam dance skin
Gerren Taylor is perched nervously backstage, watching in awe as Alexander McQueen puts the final touches to the clothes draped on angular models who are smoking cigarettes through painted lips.ĭespite this being Gerren's catwalk debut, at 5ft 10in, with full lips, clear skin and long legs visible under a sparkly dress, she blends into the melee perfectly.
0 kommentar(er)
