Women are bombarded each and every day by images, fashion and products, which promise to make them more confident, interesting, alluring and desirable. And women chase these images, much like the carrot before the horse; it's right there…..just out of reach! Men are getting more of this, but it is by far directed towards women, because the beauty and fashion industry know they will try just about anything to retain their youthful appearance.
Watch out world, because there's a new model who has emerged front and center in the high fashion, couture scene. She's stunning, sexy, mysterious, tempting and has a provocative look with her sultry "come hither" appearance. She will absolutely stop the breath in your throat as you look at her face. You get the feeling you shouldn't look so intently at this beauty, but you are compelled to continue gazing into those eyes. Those eyes!
The only problem here………..She's 10 years old!
Thylane Loubry Blondeau is, indeed, very young and also very beautiful, but she's made to look MUCH older, wiser, and ready for whatever the viewer has in mind. She has the entire fashion industry sitting on it's heels since her pictorial in French Vogue emerged, and they're drooling with anticipation. Over what? Over a child -- a ten year old child, complete with mussed hair, makeup, stiletto heels, provocative clothing -- a child, laying in wait....
What is going on here? Children, and she IS still a mere child, have a natural beauty. But that seems to fly out the window in the photos of this 10 year old girl posing provocatively for the camera, for the viewer, for you.
Really? Is this really how we want to see our children? Is this healthy? Is this right? When we think of a child it should bring images of natural beauty, innocence, chastity, purity and decency. Playing house, having a tea party, playing softball and hopscotch on the sidewalk. It should not be stilettos, mascara and shorter than short skirts lounging seductively on a leopard-print couch.
What does this imply to the average child who views these images? For the little girl, is she exposed to the impression that her purpose in life is to be sexy, to have an at-your-beck-and-call look in order to be appealing, wanted, desired, and..... loved?
For the little boy, what does this imply? Girls are to look provocative and be ready for them at their whim? And what does this conjure up in the minds of certain men? It's just too disturbing to go there.
In couture, this girl is alluring, there's no doubt. But the argument is: Is this the right way to portray a mere child? No! This is clearly inappropriate and wrong. Let a child be a child and let her beauty represent a natural, innocent beauty. Why put the pressure on children to mature any more quickly than they already do, all the while telling the mature woman that she needs to look younger and younger.
When is perfect... perfect? To the person with self-confidence issues, perfect is that same carrot -- taunting, and just out of reach. To the self-assured individual, they know it's a myth; they realize no one's perfect. They are aware that it’s enough to simply be the best you can be. Who would expect more? Let the child be the child, and stop the exploitation of something that should be held sacred.
The next time you see a 10 year old little girl with heavy makeup, tousled hair arrayed around her chest, wearing a deep red seductive dress with stilettos, lying on a tiger skin rug, ask yourself... is this right? Is this healthy? We actually have an impact on the way television and magazines portray these images. We've screwed up the minds of so many women to attain the unattainable. Do we really have to screw up the minds of our children, daughters, and sisters? You can make a difference. It's all in the power of the pocketbook.
