No more under 18s! The fashion world is finally putting its foot down

Naomi Campbell was discovered at the age of 15. In 2015, 14-year-old model Sofia Mechetner was selected and named as the new face of Dior. Much criticism followed.

Chanel Iman started modelling at the age of 12, Cindy Crawford's daughter, Kaia posed for CR Fashion Book at the tender age of 13, and French beauty, Thylane Blondeau started her modelling career at the tender age of six.

READ MORE: 'Most beautiful girl in the world' Thylane Blondeau steals the spotlight on Cannes red carpet 

Too young?

Vogue believes so. The mag recently vowed to stop using underaged models, requiring they be of legal age in order to be featured in an editorial shoot, unless they are the subject of an article.

In its September issue, writer Maya Singer penned an article saying that the use of underaged models is not right. Not to the models or to the magazine's readers. Saying Vogue can't rewrite the past, she hopes it could institute a more positive future.

"Fashion has long valorized youth," she writes. Exposing very young models to a world they are perhaps not ready for. They have not fully developed and are vulnerable within a space meant for and dominated by adults. Even as adults, the fast-paced world of fashion has its challenges. 

Refinery29 reports that eleven years ago CFDA president and CEO Steven Kolb set an industry standard, disallowing models under the age of sixteen to walk runway shows. And he also showed his support for Vogue raising its modelling age to over 18.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Young model from Bloem might be the next big thing

More and more young models are being discovered every day on Instagram. Like Ukrainian model, Pasha Harulia who was discovered at 15 walked almost immediately for Balenciaga, just as she turned 16. 

This new rule means that top models like Kaia Gerber won't be allowed to pose for Vogue for the next two years until she turns 18. A career deal-breaker in a world where you are in today, out tomorrow? 

But, it won't matter if the other publications and the rest of the industry follow suit. 

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