By Rescu. Fashion Writer
New York Law Makes Hiring Underage Models Near-Impossible
It’s suddenly become a lot harder for bookers to hire models under 16 in New York State.
The reason? A law has passed making them ‘child performers’ – which means anybody who wants to hire them needs to jump through about 400 hoops first.
The move’s been celebrated by protesters against using underage models on runways and in editorials, including The Model Alliance and Coco Rocha, herself a child model at one point.
Underage models are a big problem in high fashion – their silhouette is just right (because they’ve barely hit puberty), but they’re often not old enough to make consenting decisions, and the hours of couture runways are gruelling. People like Rocha argue that it’s exploitation, plain and simple.
So what does the new law actually do?
Making under-16 models into child performers means they’re facing the same restrictions as any under-16 person in the entertainment industry, and it places large limits on their working hours and conditions.
They won’t be allowed to work past midnight on school nights – most fittings for runway go well past 2am – and will need more than 12 hours between working periods to rest and recuperate. No hectic Fashion Weeks for them, then.
They’ll also need strict chaperoning, paediatric nurses on call, on-set tutoring and a specially-created financial trust – all of which the designers would be responsible for.
Of course, some might want young models so badly they’ll be willing to do the huge amount of red tape, but chances are, as Rocha said, that this will “change the future of our industry for the better”.
What do you think of the new NYC laws?
Image: Coco Rocha announcing the new legislation.
Katy Perry On Her Style Shift: ‘I’m A Grown-Up’
We’d become used to seeing Katy Perry around town looking like a larger-than-life cartoon character, all big pink lips, ornate hair and fantastically over-the-top outfits.
Lately, however, she’s been going the demure route.
And the key, she says, is in the fact that, at age 28, both she and her music have matured.
Famous for dressing like a 1940s burlesque performer, a candy cane, a cream-dispensing sweetie and various other characters, Perry’s now toned down and fashioned up her look.
Instead, she’s doing the front rows in Paris, dressing up in Dior and sticking to black hair rather than shades of pink or blue.
“The last album was very cartoony and over the top,” she told a talk show host, and so she dressed to match its young, frenetic energy – but her latest, Prism, “is a little more vulnerable, raw and a lot more present.”
“I think I’m finally okay accepting the information that I’m a grown up. I like clothes to stay on now,” she added.
The current Katy style? Peter Pan-collared blouses buttoned all the way to the top, paired with pencil skirts, cat’s eye sunglasses and Saint Laurent heels.
Instead of costumes, she’s now finding her outlet in patterns and embellishment, picking up pieces from Dior, Chanel, Ungaro and Dolce & Gabanna, which she wore to this year’s Met Ball.
What do you think of her style evolution?
Image: Katy Perry then and now.
How To Get The Chanel & Dior Couture-Paint Look
First Karl Lagerfeld sent his Chanel models down the Paris runway bearing painter’s portfolios and brushes, wearing gowns covered in paint-splashes of every colour.
And now Dior has picked up on the painterly influence. Their latest ad campaign, with Marion Cotillard, shows her against backdrops covered in paint splotches and brushwork.
Clearly the artistic influence is strong this season – so how can you get it on a budget?
Of course, the first thing on your list needs to be a portfolio. The Aspinal Saddle Portfolio is one of the world’s most famous – in rich leather, it’ll carry your sketches everywhere, even if you have less artistic talent than your cat.
To carry forward the look, get a pair of J.Crew‘s paint-splattered jeans – perfect for giving the impression that you’ve set yourself a masterpiece, even if it’s just painting your house. More of a graffiti artist? Markus Lupfer for Net-a-Porter has a t-shirt with a resplendent scarlet spray-can to advertise your rebellion.
Saint Laurent’s monochrome tank top looks as if you’ve rolled in a piece of art, and you can, of course, always pair them with Maison Martin Margiela’s fun Paint Splash leather sneakers, which cover their white tips with pretty splotches and drips.
If you’re more of a multicolour person, Cooper St currently has a range of paint splash-patterned clothes, Painted Love – our favourites are the fun trousers, perfect for summer. And, of course, there’s Gorman‘s spatter tank, in vivid splotches of artistic colour.
Love your oil paints? Ted Baker’s latest Flowtii floral skirts are in the dark colours of English 18th-century still lives, filled with gorgeous painted flowers. More of a modern art fan? MinkPink‘s got a very Rothko-esque Grid Girl oversize tee in black and white, while Johnny Mango at TheIconic has a spray-painted mini in vivid yellow on neoprene.
For footwear, Brian Atwood has rainbow-painted faux snakeskin loafers in vivid neons, as a statement piece. Or, of course, there’s the Sophia Webster Arty Party white toeless booties, covered in cartoony paint splatters on white patent leather.
Accessories-wise, check out Australian jewellery maker Polli at birdsnest.com.au – their hand-painted earrings and necklaces will give a painterly flair to any outfit. Or check out the paint brush earrings at Saatchi Store, tiny gold brushes with your choice of blue, green or pink paint.
Image: Paint outfits.