Vogue refuses to feature 14-year-old face of Fashion Week

The decision to fly a 14-year-old Polish girl to Sydney, to model in Australian Fashion Week has caused furore among the fashion industry.

Event organisers have defended their decision to bring Monika Jagaciak to star in the event.

But Vogue magazine says it won't use the teenager, saying there should be an age restriction of 16-years for models, similar to other international Fashion Week events.

News Limited newspapers report Jagaciak has previously fronted a campaign for French fashion house Hermes, and Calvin Klein.

Vogue editor Kirstie Clements told News Ltd they pulled the plug on using Jagaciak when they found out her age on Wednesday.

But Fashion Week boss Simon Lock is unrepentant about bringing Jagaciak to Australia, saying designers love these models as coat hangers for their clothes, and are not exploiting their sexuality in any way.

AFW requires any model under school leaving age to have written permission from their parents or guardians and permission from their school principal.

Post Last Updated:15.04.2008 at 20.06

Vogue Australia editor states:

"I just think there should be a standardized rule that specifies models should be at least 16 to participate in RAFW."

Her reasoning?

"I have children who are 13 and 14 and I'm still tucking them into bed in their jim-jams."

Hardly a convincing argument.

Then there's this gem:

The Australian Fashion Council has also slammed the decision by Australian Fashion Week to tout the Jagaciak as a star of fashion week.

Jo Kellock, acting general manager of Australian Fashion Council, said a model of that age would be better suited to modelling children's clothes.

"You have to question whether a 14-year-old has the emotional maturity and is rational enough to be in this world," Mrs Kellock said.

Yes it should be questioned. By people who know her. Like her parents. Who have.

Should these moralisers really be left to destroy this girl's career?

There are photos/pictures of Monika Jagaciak here.

Post Last Updated:10.04.2008 at 14.37

Latest moral argument from some chap on TV: She shouldn't be allowed to model because other 14 year olds will want to wear make-up, and their parents won't be able to stop them because Monika has worn make-up in some of her photo shoots.

Good grief. Its pretty silly stuff - some girls are clearly better equipped to handle this life and others. Its all been very reactionary in my eyes. Its just become 'too hard basket' when really these decisions should be based on the individual models rather than making sweeping generalisations. What about other careers where youth is a plus eg gymnasts - is anyone making ageist rules about them? I think not.

If no one brought up the fact that she's 14 would anyone notice?

come on, we have kids on tv, why can't they model? we have kids modelling in kids fashion parades? I think the issue is more the sexualisation of a 14 year old and that I can understand in part- would i care if my 14 yr old was modelling? not really, but would i care if my 14 yr old was modelling lingerie? yep.

and maybe this is a little too much?

oh..apparently that was taken when she was 13..

seems she isnt going to be modelling now...read

Post Last Updated:10.04.2008 at 23.07

Wankers. Gutless, spineless, wankers. They bowed to the moral pressure of 'my 14 year old wears pyjamas' and effectively sacked the girl.

And is anyone better for it? Not in the least.

A 14-year-old Polish girl has been dumped from Australian Fashion Week (AFW) after organisers bowed to public pressure to adopt a minimum age of 16 for its models.

The controversial decision to feature 14-year-old Monika Jagaciak in the major Sydney fashion event was reversed "in light of industry and community concern regarding the acceptable age for models".

"Effective immediately, both male and female models participating in Rosemount Australian Fashion Week will need to be at least 16 years of age and must be represented by a model agency," AFW said in a statement.

Monika, who was to have been flown to Sydney for the event which begins on April 28, has previously fronted a campaign for French fashion house Hermes and has been photographed in a white swimsuit being sprayed by a shower jet.

Vogue magazine added to the pressure for an age limit of 16 to be adopted, saying it would not feature Monika in its AFW coverage.

AFW founder Simon Lock said he was happy to take the lead from the community.

"Policies are constantly revisited and endorsed by the AFW's industry advisory board to ensure the event best served the industry and reflected community attitudes towards issues surrounding the fashion industry," Mr Lock said.

Australian Childhood Foundation chief executive officer Joe Tucci said it was a responsible but belated position.

"I think it is a long overdue decision because it recognises that children shouldn't be pushed into an adult world without us thinking about the consequences," Dr Tucci said.

"It finally recognises kids need to be protected engaging in adult-type activities.

"It also puts us in line with other countries around the world."

However, well-known fashion writer Patty Huntington said AFW organisers had overreacted, and that many famous models began their careers in their early teens.

"It's a contentious issue because some people think that 14-year-olds shouldn't be modelling, but by the same token you may as well say 14-year-old shouldn't be acting either and there are plenty of child actors," Ms Huntington told Macquarie Radio.

"Gemma Ward would not have been able to participate in fashion week and Twiggy and Kate Moss would not have been able to participate in London fashion week - both of those models started when they were 15."

Dr Tucci said the key difference was that child actors portrayed children, while child models often portrayed adults.

Earlier Friday, the NSW government said it was "comfortable" with the involvement of the 14-year-old model in AFW, provided organisers complied with their legal obligations.

These included ensuring she was given frequent breaks, worked shorter hours than adults and did not appear in "inappropriate" situations.

"As long as those standards are maintained, and she works within the requirements of our legislation under the guidance of the Children's Guardian, then NSW is comfortable," Community Services Minister Kevin Greene said.

But NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell said Monika's involvement was "simply unacceptable".

"The fashion industry made it clear that no models should be employed under 16 and that's where it ought to end," Mr O'Farrell told reporters.

"Those who employed a 14-year-old have a lot to answer at a time when particularly young girls are under enormous stress in relation to body image."

Post Last Updated:15.04.2008 at 20.06