Youth and the Runway

The runway is becomming a little less cramped with competition for models. It first started with models who were too skinny. Some designers railed against the changes, a smaller group was ambivalent while a larger number welcomed the changes altogether, though we’re sure they groused behind the scenes. In the past week, several groups that hold major runway shows have decided to increase the age of models participating in runway shows. The motivations behind raising the model age are as ambiguous as they are necessary. They range from a lack of maturity leading to eating disorders to child worker laws prohibiting certain types of work for 16 year olds and younger.

An article in news site In the News UK looks at issues with the weight of younger models and body mass index, noting that there are conflicting positions as to whether bmi alone is an accurate indicator. The article states:

But other experts suggested that body mass index (BMI), which is often used as a measure of fat, is “not necessarily an accurate measure” and “not foolproof” in identifying whether models are suffering from eating disorders such as Bulimia Nervosa.

Another issue is whether these girls under 16 are becoming sexualized to the point where it is exploitation. Some designers tend to push the envelope when it comes to what the create and the end result may be a 16 year old wearing something not made for a 16 year old.

The British Fashion Council is deciding now whether to ban models 16 years or younger, if the ban is successful we’re expecting to see similar bans throughout the fashion industry. Madrid was one of the first to ban models who were too skinny from working the runway and this seems to be in line with reasons for the weight ban. Although it is extremely doubtful, Paris and Milan may not be too far behind. Do you think models are too young? Leave comments.

A Model… on Where?

That’s right folks, Natalia Vodianova is on the July 2007 cover of Vogue magazine wearing Nina Ricci no less. The celebrities are nowhere to be found. Somewhere Nicole Richie is turning over in her grave… I’m kidding.

And while said model is dramatically overused, it’s almost startling that the fashion magazine is using, gasp.. a fashion model for the cover. Can it be that the headmistress is feeling the breath of one of her underlings on the hairs of her neck? Did she run out of burnt out female celebrities? Could it be that this is going to be a trend and deep in the hallowed halls of Conde Nast the August issue will feature another model? The suspense can truly kill.

Message from Satan-
(It’s getting cold down here)

Jaslene’s (Back) Cover Story

The July issue of Seventeen is officially on the shelves, but the cover is hardly what the newest ANTM winner, Jaslene, must have been expecting. I’ll admit, now that Tyra’s finished Cycle 8, I’m not nearly as attentive as I was in the beginning, but I watched enough of the last season to form a gossip-worthy opinion of the final contestants. Jaslene’s nothing special in the big scheme of things, but you’ve got to feel bad for this girl.

The cover story and editorial spread prize leaves much to be desired.. out of the few photos actually printed, only about half are even flattering (small as they are), and as if that were bad enough, this month’s magazine shares a double cover between Jaslene and.. Jessica Alba! Who could possibly compete with that? I don’t have a vested interest in seeing Jaslene’s modeling dreams realized, but even the most cynical fashionista would hope she’d at least grace the FRONT of newsstands for a few weeks.

Growing Up Marc Style

The Dakota Fanning for Marc Jacobs ads have been floating around for some time, but I’m afraid I still don’t know how to react. On the one hand, I’m painfully disgusted — pseudo-fashion icon before you hit puberty? seriously? — maybe a little bit jealous, and also completely (yet quite mysteriously) intrigued.

Magdalena Frackowiak

As if we needed another model to envy for being gifted from god. Pole model Magdalena Frackowiak has walked in several big shows including Yves Saint Laurent and being in magazines such as W and Harper’s Bazaar. Her secret to success is being absolutely flawlessly proportioned. See more photos here.