Kids on the catwalk | Anais Gallagher

The fashion industry’s obsession with all things young and beautiful shows no sign of abating. Earlier this week The Daily Telegraph reported Anais Gallagher (daughter of Oasis front man Noel and ex-wife Meg Matthews) is set to launch her modelling career, having signed a contract with prestigious model agency Select.

In many senses, she is perfect for the profession: icy blonde, lithe-limbed and with previous modelling credits including a campaign for Paul Smith. Great. The only issue with it all is that she’s 11 years old and already being pitted as ‘the next Kate Moss’.

No doubt her celebrity credentials will stand young Anais in good stead – mum Meg has already tweeted a pic from her first test shoot with none other than Mario Testino and, age aside, it is stunning.  But isn’t there something quite curious about the fact that a girl can’t walk down a catwalk if she is under 16 and yet some of the biggest (and most controversial) campaigns of the past year have featured child stars – namely Hailee Steinfeld for Miu Miu and Elle Fanning for Marc Jacobs?

Granted, both the above landed their campaigns after some brilliant acting work and personify the youthful brands. And they aren’t the first. The long history of child stars moving into the world of modelling stretches as far back as Jodie Foster, after her turn in Bugsy Malone, or Brooke Shields in the 70’s following her role in Pretty Baby.

And yet it continues to niggle away at me that they are, legally at least, still children. Comparing an 11 year-old to one of the most iconic models of the 20^th century seems daft (the fact that I can’t even publish a picture of her with this and yet her face could easily be plastered across a billboard in a year, even more so). But the nub of the issue isn’t prospective legal woes or fashion journalism’s institutionalised hyperbole – it’s the fact that the news sets a dangerous, if not impossible, precedent in the modelling industry.

What do you think – is the modelling industry straying into dangerous territory with child models? Tweet us @Style_ThenSome to let us know your thoughts

Picture credit: Ontario Fashion Week / REX features

Ted Baker SS12 Preview Show

Last Wednesday, Style & Then Some were invited to attend Ted Baker’s SS12 preview catwalk show.  This affair is usually only witnessed by the company’s sales staff as a way of familiarising them with the next season’s collection before it hits the shop floor.  However, this season the invitation was opened up to press, and Style & Then Some’s good friend Jessica Chan was on hand to photograph the key items which will no doubt be falling into the pages of every SS12 magazine trend report as well as in to our wardrobes.

Trends…

1.  Now, I may get annihilated for admitting this, but I have never seen an episode of Mad Men.  Despite this, it being such a popular point of reference for the high street and designers alike in recent years, I am still aware of all the characters and their styles through reading numerous catwalk reports citing it as ‘the big trend’.  A trend that supposedly will still be in attendance in SS12.  This may have something to do with Men’s fashions taking longer to evolve, or perhaps everyone just isn’t ready to let go of their Don Draper look just yet.  Either way, boys, you are looking dapper…

2.  With regards to the ladies key looks, it seems the label has pushed for an eclectic mix of styles which each, in turn, compliment the Men’s line.  So whether your man appreciates the androgynous look, or you prefer full-on feminine, there is something for everyone.  I’m talking Bow Ties, waistcoats, loose, tailored city shorts,  to fun, floaty and even Marilyn Monroe-esque outfits (THAT yellow dress), the catwalk was awash with peplums, peter pan collars and nipped in waists.  So if you aren’t a fan of androgyny, don’t worry, Ted hasn’t left you out.