Far too much, far too young: Outrage over shocking images of the 10-YEAR-OLD model who has graced the pages of Vogue

By SADIE WHITELOCKS

Provocative: These highly-sexualised images of 10-year-old Thylane Lena-Rose Blondeau from the Tom Ford-edited January issue of French Vogue, have caused concern

She reclines among leopard print pillows, her rouged lips pouting at the camera. But shockingly the model in these highly sexualised pictures is only 10 years old.

The provocative images of Thylane Lena-Rose Blondeau, who is tipped as the next big thing on the fashion scene, are causing a storm of controversy with campaigners furious that a child so young should be displaying the sexual allure of someone twice her age.


Suggestive: Images such as these have paved the way for a recent Government initiative in the UK to enforce restrictions on the sexualisation of children in the media and sexual content in advertising


Thylane has appeared in numerous campaigns and her image is all over the internet.

To date she has an impressive portfolio - the French girl has graced the cover of Vogue Enfants and posed for high-end editorials.

Born in the Ivory Coast, she has already been compared to Sixties siren Brigitte Bardot - who at the age of 15 appeared in ELLE.

But these latest images, complete with heavy make-up and stiletto heels, which appear in French magazine Cadeaux, have brought the issue to a head.


Premature sexualisation: Experts have warned about the psychological implications of such young children being involved in the modelling industry


They come in the wake of a recent Government initiative in the UK to enforce restrictions on the sexualisation of children in the media and sexual content in advertising.

Reg Bailey, Chief Executive of the Mothers' Union, was commissioned to conduct the independent review on the pressures faced by children today.



Lost society: In the Bailey review a survey revealed that 88 per cent of parents agreed that children are under pressure grow up too quickly, with 58 per cent accounting this to celebrity culture


A spokesperson for the Mothers' Union told MailOnline: 'We have grave concerns about the modelling agency who represent Blondeau, which clearly does not know if it represents a child or an adult.

'Photo shoots requiring her, a 10-year-old-girl, to dress in full make-up, teetering heels and a dress with a cleavage cut to the waist across her pre-pubescent body deny Blondeau the right to be the child she is.

'These images would, we hope, post Bailey Review, not pass through the standards of magazines, on street advertising and other media within the UK.'

In the review a survey revealed that 88 per cent of parents agreed that children are under pressure grow up too quickly, with 58 per cent accounting this to celebrity culture.

source: dailymail