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Fury over catwalk girl, aged 12

A 12-YEAR-OLD girl has caused a storm by modelling at one of the world’s largest fashion shows.

Maddison Gabriel wore a string of revealing outfits after being crowned the face of Gold Coast Fashion Week in Australia.

The country’s Prime Minister John Howard blasted the decision to use her as “outrageous” — but Maddison believes she is right for the job.

She said: “I believe that I can fit into women’s clothes, I can model women’s clothes, so I should be able to do it.


“It doesn’t matter about age, it matters that you can do the job. Modelling is all I've wanted to do since I was six — I don’t think I’m too young.”


Maddison made her first catwalk appearance on Saturday — but has also appeared in photos publicising the Queensland event after winning a competition to be its public face.

The prize included a contract with a modelling agency.

Fashion Week spokeswoman Kelly Wieler denied she was too young, saying: “Maddy got in because she was the best contestant — the judges saw that she was fit to do the job.”

And she said the girl would not model bikinis or lingerie.

But the schoolgirl, who celebrated her 13th birthday yesterday, has already appeared in swimwear shots in her portfolio.

Her mother Michelle said: “There’s been a carry-on about Maddison wearing adult clothes — but every 13-year-old I know wears adult clothes. I’m very proud of her.”

PM Mr Howard said girls younger than 16 should not be allowed on catwalks.


He said: “Catapulting girls as young as 12 into something like that is quite outrageous.”
# LONDON Fashion Week kicked off on Saturday night — with the British Fashion Council banning under-16s from the catwalk for the first time.


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