Besides reiterating a recommendation that designers only cast models aged at least 16 years old, Diane Von Furstenberg and CFDA CEO Steven Kolb advised designers to require models to present valid ID as an enforcement measure.
The move follows Von Furstenberg’s widely reported gaffe from last season. Von Furstenberg only learned that Hailey Clauson was, at 15, below the recommended age threshold after the model had walked in her show.
‘The casting agents for the Diane von Furstenberg show will be doing this and we encourage others to do the same,’ the letter read . (FYI: In London, the BFC has banned models from walking in shows until they are at least 16.)
News of the CFDA letter emerged as an interview in which Michael Kors alludes to the difficulties of enforcing age limits went live on Interview magazine ’s site.
‘I said two years ago, “No models under 16,”’ Kors said in conversation with model Lauren Hutton . ‘Well, of course, right after I said that, we started seeing all of these girls from Eastern Europe, and every girl who’d walk in, you’d say, “Hi. What’s your name?” And she’d be like, “I’m Svetlana.” I’m like, “Svetlana, where are you from?” “Ukraine.” “Svetlana, how old are you?” “16.” Next girl walks in—she’s from Eastern Europe and 16. Next one? Eastern European and 16. I was like, “Was there a bus?”’
Kors stops short of explicitly stating that models lied to him about their ages. For him, it’s less about combating child labour than assembling a cast that embodies the Kors look: ‘[N]o matter how beautiful you might be at 15 or 16, the simple truth is that you haven’t lived enough to really know how to project anything in a photograph. It’s like a kind of blank beauty.’
Carding seems like a straightforward way to enforce minimum modelling ages—or at least a hedge for designers who want to show that they have mechanisms in place to guard against infringements. But the fact is that if a young model is in demand, there are no punitive measures to deter a casting agent from hiring a girl who hasn’t passed her 16th birthday (and underage models who want to work can obtain fake ID as ably as any teenagers).
What do you think—will the stricter guidelines make any difference?
COMMENTS
