Australian fashion week organisers ban underaged models after a decision to
make a 14-year-old Polish model as cover face of the show erupted furore. 

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (FILE) NETWORK TEN -

Australia's fashion industry dumped plans to use a 14-year-old
model as the face of its annual
showcase on Friday (April 11) after fashion magazines refused to publish
the girl's photo because she was too young.
    Organisers of Australia's fashion week had planned to make 14-year-old
Polish model Monika Jagaciak the star of its annual fashion shows from April
28 to May 2.
    But editors from Vogue magazine and Marie Claire threatened to pull
coverage of the fashion events and called for organisers to follow guidelines
in place in London and Paris, which place restrictions on models under 16
years old.
   "I found out she was fourteen which is when I pulled the plug
because I just think that she's too young," said Australia's Vogue editor
Kirsty Clements.
   "You're putting a girl to a catwalk hasn't even become a woman yet
and that is a body image question that I think also tips in the sexualisation
of young girls," she added.
    Marie Claire editor Jackie Frank said it was time publishers and
fashion companies took a stand and lifted the minimum age of models to 16.
    After initially standing by its decision on Jagaciak, fashion week
organisers on Friday backed down to industry pressure.
   "Effective immediately both male and female models participating in
AFW (Australian Fashion Week) will need to be at least 16 years of age and
must be represented by a reputable model agency," organiser Simon Lock
said in a statement.
   "Those who employed a fourteen year old has a lot to answer, at a
time when particularly young girls are under enormous stress in relation to
their body image," said New South Wales Opposition Leader Barry
O'Farrel.
   In September 2007, a twelve year-old model, Maddison Gabriel, dominated
the headlines in Australia when she was announced as the inaugural face of
Gold Coast fashion week.