New model set out for teenagers
Employers using models under 16 must seek permission from the NSW Children’s Guardian or risk heavy fines under legislation introduced to state parliament this week.
Vogue editor Kirstie Clements turned the international fashion spotlight on Australia when she led calls for Polish teenager Monika Jagaciak to be pulled from the catwalks of Australian Fashion Week in April last year.
The International Management Group, which runs Australian Fashion Week, had planned to bring Jagaciak to Australia under its modeling job arm IMG Models. After initially refusing to pull the model from the event, IMG bowed to public pressure and put a self-imposed ban on the use of models under 16.
Yesterday, Clements applauded the new law requiring employers to observe a code of practice covering work times, supervision, travel and the balance between work and school.
Fines for non-compliance will increase from $1100 to $11,000.
Vogue itself had previously published pictures of models under the age of 16, but following the incident Clements questioned the practice and the magazine changed its policy.
“We had shot girls that were younger than 16 before, but I started to feel uneasy about it,” she said. “Nothing actually untoward happened … I just started to think it was ridiculous that we could only find 15-year-old to fulfill our idea of feminine beauty, when we are a magazine for grown-ups.”
The bill, if passed, will still allow under-16s to share the catwalk with adult models or pose for photo shoots, as long as permission is given by the guardian, and if the model’s clothing and makeup is age-appropriate.
NSW Community Services Minister Linda Burney said the legislation focused on the appropriateness of the work done by models and aimed to avoid the sexualisation of children.
“I am concerned about young people who may be drawn into the fashion industry at an age when they may be more mature physically than they are emotionally,” Ms Burney said.
Model Olivia Dunn frost, 19, who joined the Chadwick agency at 15, said she had never felt uncomfortable on a shoot and had never heard of any “sinister” treatment of young models in the industry, but welcomed the extra peace of mind.
Asked whether photographer Bill Henson could have received approval for his infamous nude portraits of a 13-year-old girl, NSW Children’s Guardian Kerryn Boland said she could not give a black and white answer.
“I don’t want to close the door on it because the law doesn’t give a prohibition,” she said.
