Edited by Lester Brathwaite on
It’s not easy being Hailee Steinfeld. Sure, being prematurely gorgeous and precociously talented, earning an Oscar nomination while barely in high school, having designers clamor to dress you for the red carpet and place you in their ad campaigns seems like a dream. And for all intents and purposes it is. But leave it to the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority to rain all over the young actress’ somnambulant parade.
The 14-year-old Steinfeld is seen sitting on a railroad track, wiping away what appears to be tears, in this image from Miu Miu‘s fall 2011 campaign, shot by Bruce Weber. Following their ban on fellow underaged starlet Dakota Fanning‘s “sexually provocative” ad for Marc Jacobs‘ “Oh Lola!” fragrance, the ASA has deemed the Miu Miu ad “irresponsible” for depicting a child in an unsafe location.
Parent company Prada argues that the allegedly offensive photos is ”part of a serious, high-fashion campaign” and “based on the set of an imaginary film,” adding that Steinfeld ”could have easily moved from where she was sitting because she was not restrained in any way.” But considering her age, the ASA is standing their moral-high ground. [Telegraph]
I was center square from 1969 to 1978, during which I perfected the art of the zing as well as a crippling cocaine addiction. Bea Arthur was responsible for both.
@LesFabian
lester at fashionindie.com