First they said models couldn't be so thin, then they said they couldn't be so young, sending the Vogue 'Show Coverage & Models' forum into a spin...

You may also recall that Melbourne City councillor Fiona Snedden insisted that the planned "face" of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week be dumped, saying model Claire Quirk (then 15) was too young for such a role; they then appointed 18-year-old fashion designer Jacqui Alexander to the position instead, who was clearly much older and more mature a spokesmodel.

Well, she's been booked for seven parades during the fest, proving that despite the best intentions of the country's moral guardians, Australia's fashion catwalks continue to be stalked by sullen Diet Coke-drinking teenagers wearing their mum's dresses.

Her agent, Matthew Anderson from Chadwicks, said he was still furious at Cr Snedden, in particular at comments that Quirk was not representative of Melbourne and not a good role model.

"To see those sweeping comments from a councillor that has nothing to do with the industry or knows nothing about it is offensive," he said.

...

The Mentone Girls Grammar year 10 student turns 16 during the festival on September 4. She told the Herald Sun she had been looking forward to the fashion week role, but accepted the decision.

"I'm fine about it. It just didn't happen this time.

"It was their choice."

Quirk said she was determined to finish school and hoped to study at university to have something to fall back on.

So, what have we learnt from this saga? Teenaged girls on posters advertising fashion festivals = bad. Teenaged girls pimped out on catwalks as ersatz women = great! Expect next year's Melbourne Fashion Festival face to be a 48-year-old woman, with toddlers on the runways.

 

Tags: au | fash | models | moral guardianship