“Force Ripe” Is 10 Too Young For High Fashion?
Today I want to talk about the sexualisation of children in the fashion industry? 10 year old model Thylane Blondeau is in Vogue Paris this month. After looking at the edition I find myself asking why Vogue Paris thought these images were acceptable for publication, and wondering how young is too young for high fashion?
Thylane is the daughter of french soccer player Patrick Blondeau and reporter, turned fashion designer Véronika Loubry. She has been modelling for a number of years. In the past I have seen images of her that have raised questions but none compare to how she is captured in the latest edition of Vogue Paris.
For me it is not about the haute couture, lipstick, jewels and high heels. We all like to play dress up as children. Its about the provocative poses and the suggestive stare, which I consider to be totally inappropriate for a child. And yes, call me old school as I still believe your a child at age 10.
Being involved in the fashion industry for so many years I know how what we do to sell products can affect young girls… through their sexualisation, physical appearance, eating disorders, self esteem etc… etc.. etc…
Thylane is not the first child to cause such debate but she is one of the youngest. In 2007, a 13-year-old Dakota Fanning posed in a controversial campaign for Marc Jacobs and now her sister at the age of 13, Elle Fanning is the face of Jacobs’ Fall 2011 campaign. But this fascination with preteen models when stylised in a very adult manner in my opinion is not going to help our young girls transition easily into confident, balanced and well rounded individuals. And I have to wonder about who actually enjoys looking at these images?
Right now on some of the social media streams we have teens saying how they are jealous of a 10 year old. Can we afford to ignore this response?
So you tell me. Is 10 too young for sexually provactive high fashion pictures or is it just a reflection of the society we live in today? Love to hear your thoughts 
Shaz
Tags: Beauty, child models, French Vogue, model, Patrick Blondeau, preteen, Thylane Blondeau, Véronika Loubry, vogue paris
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22 Responses to ““Force Ripe” Is 10 Too Young For High Fashion?”
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“And I have to wonder about who actually enjoys looking at these images? ”
THE PAEDOPHILES OF COURSE
Noun-paedophile – an adult who is sexually attracted to children
this is truly bordering on kiddie porn!
This is in no way Modeling. Children of that age, do not actually wear any of the clothes presented. This is Child Pornography plain and simple.
This is way to young… by the time this little girl gets to thirteen she will be so burnt out and exposed (my opinion)Then by the time she gets to 18 she’ll start doing all kinda crazy things and say she never had a childhood. I wish parents and adults on a whole would analyse the impact that some things we allow children to get involve in will have on them in the future…..but for some its all about fame and fortune
Just goes to show you the state of the world. This is like a dream come true for child molesters.
How better for the fashion industry to ensure continued sales than to create the next generation of consumers? And how better to ensure that new generation than to prey upon the natural curiosity of many little girls about clothes and makeup. The preteen market is big business nowadays with mini versions of padded bras and thongs(never mind that the kids have nothing to put into them), designer handbags and shoes selling like hot cakes. The profit as always goes to the “big guys”. The price as always is paid by the innocent and eventually by society in the long run. It is sickening!
Fascinating that we are now pushing the limits this far; we should start to publish the names of these designers and promoters that endorse this travesty and advocate for people to boycott their products. Most ten year olds developmentally are in the middle of their self-image formation, so can you imagine how they are warping this child personality already! Parents should be held responsible….
There ought to be an age limit for these kind of things. Just as how models now have to be above a certain weight for their height, there should be a minimum age limit. I say somewhere around 15-16 and they ought to be supervised by a guardian until they reach adulthood. A ten year old does not possess the rationality required to make these kinds of decisions. To her it’s just a game of dress, and she’s unaware of the seriousness of the implications that may result.
This is sexual exploitation for children not fully developed, and this can only lead to child molestation and psychological instability. Let children be like a child who enjoys playing and going to school with peers of their age. Children used to play with dolls at even age 10. This is taking it too far!!! The parents should be ashamed of themselves.
I deem this as being very inappropriate for an underage girl but if her parents are o.k. with it who are we to object? This also gave me a flashback to JonBenet Ramsey.
Thanks for your contirbutions @Hazel @f.mair @lowry I can’t help but agree with your comment…. @Yoyo Its sad that in today’s society a childhood is not guaranteed…. Its all about wealth generation & consumerism
@Nic I totally agree with you….The ‘big guys’ are preying on our young!
@Donna Your point is valid but sometimes society as a whole has to step in and say this is inappropriate and unacceptable to effect change. Unfortunately all parents are not ‘good’ parents. Thanks for your contribution
@DavidB @Stephy @Jasher Thank you for your insights… I’m definitely in agreement….Maybe boycotting is the way to make our voices heard !?
This kind of behavior in the name of Fashion, is deplorable. Asking a baby to act like an adult, depicts the self aggrandizing arrogance, and naivety of some parts of our society. I pray that she will survive this unscrupulous and egregious blunder, without any damage to her tender little Psyche. Lord help us.
It might not be this same age. But arent we experiencing, and having the same problem HERE. With all these ODLER MEN going and getting all these 14 -16 years old girls PREGNANT. As a matter a fact it has become a FAD as well as a NORM in our everydy LIFE-STYLE.
Since our CULTURE has been put on the SHELVES by this GENERATION. And in return have out-rightly EBRACES the North American MEDIA CULTURE. Then we will always be EXPERIENCING this kind of EXPOSED BEHAVIOUR.
It is indeed the society we live in! We are on the “slipperiest” slope and we are blindfolded…
Stupid mothers….if you can call them mothers. These women are lossers who want to relive their own fantasy. Stupid….and jerks too!
Really,
Where are we going as a people if we condone this nonsense… someone quick, look back to those old commercials let a child be a child. There is no value added, a normal person wants to see the clothing hung properly, she looks as if she is wearing her mum’s outfit.
I google her picture, I thought I was looking at child porn, I feel disgusted. What is this world coming to.
Lamb dressed as mutton! Kiss mi neck!!
Good writeup. Look forward to future posts.