Model's Age - How Young Is Too Young?

[KhaoticKharma]

I think it totally depends on the girl.

I don't think a girl should start as young as 13 WITHOUT her parent around. I think around the ages of 16/17 is about the time the parents should stop tagging along and let the girl go at it on her own. Its really best that way. When one's parents are around, they think too much. Not saying that its not bad to think, but the girl needs to find herself.. blah blah blah.

I started when I was 14. And my mom stopped coming down to the city with me when I was 15. Though, if my sister was in the same situation, my mom would never let her go down by herself.

You can't generalize that all girls should start at one age and they'll be safest physically and/or psychologically. But parents should definately be involved until a certain point.

TOTALLY agree. Very insightful. I went to the New York models site and saw your pics, AlmostFamous- beautiful! You're gonna hit it big timeB)

 

[dazed&confused]

... You're gonna hit it big timeB)

I second that! Tay is gonna be huge!

 

[AlmostFamous]

Thanks, guysss.

 

[model_mom]

The reason 13 to 18 year old girls are not on Americas next model is because it's against the shows rules. wonder why? No one is going to butt heads with the fashion industry on the age issue...too much money and to much clout.

 

[KhaoticKharma]

Though I seem keen on the young model (I'm trying hard to BE one!), there are cases in which some girls just look like babies.

Looks like baby...

Not so much...

That's fourteen year old Camila on the right, with Jeisa

 

[Micaela]

^ omg, you serious? She doesn't look 14!!

 

[KhaoticKharma]

^Exactly.

 

[AlmostFamous]

^ how can you tell whether or not she looks anything? The glasses are covering 75% of her face.

 

[stylexstar]

^ how can you tell whether or not she looks anything? The glasses are covering 75% of her face.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[sasseestefanie]

I think 17 is a good age.

 

[funkalicious]

I think 17 too. Unless you look matured at 15 or 16. Even 15 is pushing a little too far for me.

I think they should allow older girls too. I mean 25/6 is not too old at all!

 

[yourbestfriend]

I think 16, 17 is a great age. Model's these days arent getting any younger, there are always the models that start young. 10 years ago many of the models were starting young, many not so young. Its just a generalization because when a model is 14, you notice it more so its the only thing you notice.

Being 16, 17 depending on the girl, the girl has her own mind and if shes going to go crazy in the city, its not gonna be different if she was at home. If we was gonna go crazy, she'd just go crazy and party out at home if she wasnt in New York. Imo it dosent make too much of a difference to me, theres always going to be similar types of people no matter where you are. If shes not exposed to drugs in the city, someone at school is going to show her.

 

[funkalicious]

Yup, so it's really a case to case basis for each girl it would be different. I think we can all agree on 16/17 though!

 

[KhaoticKharma]

Sadly, the fashion industry is the way it is- they have been recruting teenage girls since the dawning of supermodeldom (Gia was picked up at 16 and dropped out of high school to persue it). No matter what may seem acceptable, the editors and the big wigs will always do what they want to do, even if it seems like it's verging kiddie p*rn.

 

[irresistable_loz]

I really think it depends on the girl. Take Tallulah for example, she only 13 and just signed with IMG. However, she's 5"11, is 34-24-34 and has one of the strongest personalities of any girl I know. She also has an incredible agent (in Australia at scene) who is looking out for her. She nor her agent would let herself get into a bad situation.



*All my scans*

 

[marqueemoon]

The fashion industry is on crack. If a teenager looks like a woman, then fine, but most of these girls look like the little girls they are. Why is that considered desirable or attractive? A full-grown woman is almost invariably more attractive than her teenage counterpart.

 

[fashionlove]

14

i think 14 is i good age im just starting now and i'm 15 and its awesome. I think if i started later i would be depressed from younger girls that have worked more then me. But i also it takes alot away from school and friends.

 

[SevenWeeksLater]

I don't get people who are saying if they look older then it's fine. Err, shouldn't it be the other way around if shes mature enough mentaly for her age then it's fine. For example Gemma looks younger then she really is,who cares? Obviously they saw something in the girl if they signed her at such a young age.

 

[funkalicious]

I think if your young. You can build up your portfolio and take it as a part time job.

 

[smartarse]

When you talk about a model's age in general , you start as a baby, like 8 months or so. But I know you're referring to 'older' models, well more like adolescence. And my opinion about that is this... for the most part an agent/scout looks for the height and body type (first and foremost) NOT how old the girl is. Age is secondary to them. The overall appearance can be 'guesstimated'.

In defense of the photographers and agents, IF you want to be a PAID model you should have these CRITERIA to adhere: determination, dedication, and willing to do anything. I know i'm missing alot of points but i think it's these 3 that are the most talked about here. First of all, the legit agencies and photographer/s will not have you do something distasteful. And its clients are not some Hustler or p*rno Magazine that they'll have a 14 or 18 yr old do semi/nude shots. If it is it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. A redflag should be loud and clear and you are in a sleazy agency run by cons.

Now getting back to the age... it seems that Americans are more prudish when it comes to taking pictures in panties or bras etc and almost immoral to the extend. And being 14 or 18 even, it is deemed wrong. That's how we Americans think. But Europeans, Latins and even some Asian countries are rather open to nudity, almost natural to them. It doesn't phase them. And fashion is the same way.

Does it sound harsh? It's a JOB plain and simple. Part of a job description of a paid model.