It seems like right now fashion really does not have an age limit . All little girls love to play dress up and even make clothes for their dolls but “Fashion Designer”, “Fashion Writer” by the age of 11? Is the fashion world going a bit too far with all this?
One new designer on the scene is not only still in elementary school, but her age is barely in the double digits. According to LA Times, at just 10 years old, Cecilia Cassini is apparently one of the hottest emerging fashion designers of the season. Frankly this seems like a case of too much too soon.
In just the fifth grade, Cecilia Cassini designs and sews a line of girls clothing for kids her own age. She has been slowly gaining popularity, but is now grabbing big headlines in the fashion news world. Cecilia recently held a trunk show at Fred Segal and was invited to New York Fashion Week with a camera crew following her every move. She even appeared on the Today Show this week promoting her line.
Speaking of kids being involved in the fashion world, everyone knows of 13 year old fashion blogger Tavi Gevinson. Tavi’s has been the talk of the fashion industry. This tiny fashionista has been blogging since the age of 11 and has even helped Rodarte launch their recent line for Target. Taken out of school to attend, she has a front row seat at many major fashion designers runway shows.
Whilst no one is disputing the children’s genuine love for fashion, the fact is that they do have time, decades ahead of them to pursue their passions. Shouldn’t they be allowed to grow up a little first before being thrown to the media circus as they are now? At such a young age wouldn’t their time be better spent in school, or playing with their friends or even making clothes for their friends and dolls …for fun? What happened to dressing Barbie and making doll clothes?
“The bar is so much higher today in terms of shock value,” says Kit Yarrow, chairman of the department of psychology at Golden Gate University, and co-author of “Gen BuY: How Tweens, Teens and Twenty-Somethings are Revolutionizing Retail.” “An 18-year-old starting a company is not that interesting anymore. Now you have to be 8 or 10 to be newsworthy and captivating.” LA Times.
Watch this interview with 10 year old Cecilia Cassini where you can see what we are talking about in the ‘commentary’ of the little girls on their outfits.
Tags: 10 year old fashion designer, Cecilia Cassini, children, Coco Chanel, emerging fashion designer, fashion designer, Fashion News, fashion week, kids, Tavi Gevinson
totally agreed, this makes a mockery of what fashion is
the kid with her blow dryed hair, looks like she doesn’t know what is going on…it’s the parents pushing these kids for their own vanity
I know kids are growing up fast these days but give us break!
Wonder where these kids will end up…
The whole thing is ridiculous it really smacks of the whole Toddler in tiaras thing where fat mothers live through their toddlers, dress them up and put makeup on them and parade them in fashion shows. Why is the industry even condoning this? Just wrong
Whats all the fuss naysayers? This child is totally motivated and loves what she does. How many of us can claim that kind of grace?
i know what parents are saying,please do not critizise Cecilia Cassini for flowing her dreams,just leave her be,its not like she put lots of makeup on,im the same age as her,im allready comeing up with ideas of my own clothing line,so..who is to critizise….no one,ok,love Vanessa
great post as usual!
I say if this is her dream (instead of boys or whatever else 10 year old girls are into these days), then go for it Cecilia!
What’s so wrong with a young girl studying and doing what she likes, specially when it might actually lead into a full time career when grown.
As long as her parents are monitoring her activities, I see nothing wrong with a young girl pursuing what makes her happy.
I agree with the expert in the story, the fashion industry is just looking for SHOCK value. Why does a ten year old need a Branding expert who put Kardashians on the “map”. Does anyone here actually believe it was this 5th grader who even thought of emplying such an expert? C’mon , the parents are capitalizing on this whole thing and using this little kid! Monitoring her activities? Sound more to me like they are making her activities for her.
As a mom , I say let kids be kids, she can be a designer when she is in her late teens as well….if that is still NEWS worthy by then!
Im 11 and i think she is so inspiring she encourages kids to do what they want as a job at a young age. I’m aloud a
sewing machine next year when i’m 12 and i’m getting a website to sell the dresses what i make. she has inspired me
so much and she is my romodel so dont say mean stuff about her because everyone should follow there dreams.
Even young kids.