Marc Jacobs is not the only who named a promising teen actress (Elle Fanning) as the face of his fall 2011 campaign. (see related post). Miu Miu had the same marketing idea and is featuring Hailee Steinfeld - the 14-year-old Academy Award nominee - in its latest campaign shot by Mert & Marcus. Miu Miu - considered the younger, hippier version of Prada - has been criticized for using a very young girl as a model. Daily Mail Style Director Liz Jones said: " I find it obscene that a child of 14, no matter she is a star, no matter how sophisticated, is used to peddle designer fashion, surely as bad for teen girls as smoking or underage sex. Even 16 is too young to peddle designer fashion. I'm shocked."
I found this statement very hypocritical. Don't get me wrong. I think it is healthy that we ask ourselves why teenagers are selling clothes for grown women. But the fashion industry has been using models in their teen years for ages. Why is the sudden critic towards Miu Miu only and not towards all the designers? I hope that Hailee Steinfeld will not become the poster child for this issue. Whether if she was too young or not, I think the campaign is lovely and that she looks adorable.
Let's discuss it on Twitter!
- Marie
For some reasons, the last photos really reminded me of the poster for the movie Lolita. Do you think Mert & Marcus did it on purpose or was it bound to happen with any 14-year-old model?
Photos Credits: Miu Miu.com
I think it really depends for underage models. Are they going to pose provocatively? In these pictures I think she is dressed modestly and not revealing too much. Looking at her I wouldn't guess she was 14 years old, I guess that is what makeup does to you! LOL
ReplyDeleteIf they are dressed modestly and understand the consequences (which they should after age 14) of being a model, I say it is ok.
She looks gorgeous and I do not think she is too young at all. Great post!
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'd like to see models wearing age appropriate attire. I think the problem I have with this isn't the clothes, which as Heidi pointed out are modest (and have a nice 1940s vibe I really like), but the shoes instead. No 14 year old girl should be, in my opinion, wearing heels that high except in the most unusual of circumstances. They're neither practical nor safe for the majority of situations a 14 year old would find themselves in. And although boys do not (typically) wear heels, I would say the same thing for them. A high heel just isn't an age appropriate decision.
ReplyDeleteAs a teacher, I would not allow heels that high in my classroom. Kitten heels, maybe, one or two inch block heels, maybe, but not high heels, not stilettos, and not platforms. On the flip side, I wouldn't allow flip flops or slippers either.
I totally agree, it sounds hypocrital to criticize Miu Miu campaign just for using a 14 yeats old when the average age of models on catwalk is 16.
ReplyDeleteBut on the other hand I don't think is right using young models and make them look like as they are at least 10 years oldest.
she looks beautiful! and you're right, models are just as young...i see nothing wrong..plus, the photos and clothes are lovely..if she was selling me lingerie, yeah, i would have a problem with that:))
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