September 15, 2007 02:21pm

THE head of a modelling agency responsible for a 12-year-old girl who won a Gold Coast fashion event says she will ensure the girl is not exploited.

Maddison Gabriel, who turns 13 tomorrow, has been signed by agency Ugly People as the prize for being named the face of Gold Coast Fashion Week.

The Gold Coast agency's head Simone Hyde said Maddison was not being exploited during fashion week and she would ensure she was not exploited in the future.

"She is not and won't be modelling bikinis or lingerie,'' Ms Hyde said.

"She has a lot of work to do before she is on a catwalk and this is just the first step.

"Modelling is what she wants to do.''

A chorus of criticism, led by Prime Minister John Howard, followed the crowning of Maddison.

Mr Howard said Australia should follow the example of Europe and ban models younger than 16 appearing on catwalks.

"Catapulting girls as young as 12 into something like that is quite outrageous and I'm totally opposed to it and think most Australians would feel the same way, Mr Howard said.

Federal Labor Leader Kevin Rudd was concerned Maddison would miss out on her childhood.

"I have real concerns about littlies that young going out there doing that sort of thing,'' Mr Rudd said.

One of Australia's leading models, Kristy Hinze, labelled Maddison's appointment as "sick".

"I think that's awful," Hinze said.

"Gee I was a baby at 15 when I started, but 12? That's taking it to a whole new level. I don't care what she looks like," she said angrily.

However, the Hillcrest Christian College Year 8 student said her age did not not matter.

"I believe that I can fit into women's clothing, I can model women's clothing so I should be able to do it,'' Maddison told the Seven Network.

Her mother Michelle also defended the role.

"For a 12-year-old, I think she's handling it very well, I'm very proud of her,'' Ms Gabriel said.

She said the family had not made any money from Maddison's modelling.

Ms Hyde said Maddison would appear with 10 other finalists modelling eveningwear at a closed event but would not be making any other appearances.

Source: [url]http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22422680-2,00.html[/url]

legally, you can't work at 12. and if you read her "i fit into womens clothing" response, she isn't exactly mature. Even if she isn't making any money, that is plain wrong people, thats a kid and you are portraying her as an adult.

Oh come on!! Are we all living in denial or something? There are children much younger than 12 on the runways...not to mention in other areas of professionalism. Wot is the problem with it? Wot is so unjust?

As I've said before on this one, it's no different from her appearing on any TV show where their image is sexed up. Frankly I'd rather see her on a catwalk, which involves far less sexing up, than see her on some rubbish like Home and Away. But because the latter is media driven, you'd never read about it.

it's a rediculous game.

she must have a good agent to land this gig and a good agent will do everything in their power to take care of their talent.

unlike this girl who is being looked at by people who's interest is definitely not in the fashion she's sporting

Society at large has this issue with age, a 12 year old can do this but they cannot do that.

A 12 year old can access the Internet and can be exposed to more dangers then what they would get by displaying clothes on a catwalk.

To be honest if they are dressed in clothing specific to there age group then really I dont see an issue, and formal wear could be included in that.

I dont see the model being asked to parade themselves in lingerie which then they could debate the issue.

Its been advised by many people that we should encourage our children at an early age to follow there dreams, weather this in the arts, sports or other desired activities.

So when a 12yr old can join Little Athletics and participate in high jump and or javlin and other sports then whats the difference with participating in a Fashion parade

I gather people have issues about this as they remember stories such as that girl in America who was a child model who died at a young age ...I cannot remember her name though

Oh I havent heard any issues over this fashion parade:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22390051-2902,00.html

Post Last Updated:16.09.2007 at 01.25

The problem, I think, is not so much whether a girl that young should model, but why (oh WHY!?) the need is felt to use little girls to present clothing for grown-up women...

Grown up women have children of there own, I gather they wont them to look smart and presentable, other then cataloge and tv I gather a fashion parade is another medium to display the fashion.

Does anyone know the designer that she is modeling for, and if so is the designer marketing the clothing to grown up women or children

Also in my opinion she I gather she has been selected as she is very tall for a 12/13 yr old

Post by brettrobsonphotography
Does anyone know the designer that she is modeling for, and if so is the designer marketing the clothing to grown up women or children

if I'm not mistaken she's been hired as the face of the event

if grown women are starving themselves to the size of a frail child and models with eating disorders are looked down upon then it would seem children are the only option, no?