Sunday, September 16, 2007
Model Maddison Gabriel
MADDISON Gabriel was last night allowed to model a gown at Gold Coast Fashion Week, after sparking an international drama as the face of the event.
Maddison Gabriel
Organisers spent much of yesterday morning debating whether Maddison, who turns 13 today, should appear at a VIP cocktail event, attended by more than 150 guests at the Gold Coast Arts Centre, as the fashion furore degenerated into a farce.
They feared more negative publicity after Prime Minister John Howard, Premier Anna Bligh and child protection advocates criticised Maddison's selection as face of the new Queensland fashion festival.
Debate about teenage models had spread overseas, with the British Fashion Council announcing models aged 15 years or younger should not be allowed to enter one of the world's most famous fashion events, the London Fashion Week.
Coast organisers originally voted to ban media from Maddison's first big public appearance and refused to give details other than she would be wearing an "age appropriate'' gown.
"We'll probably put her on stage, introduce her as the face of fashion week and that will be that,'' Gold Coast Fashion Week spokesman Kelly Weiler said.
Ms Weiler later acknowledged organisers were concerned about more negative publicity. "This pretty girl has her dreams in sight. We want to see that,`` she said.
"We want the premier to see this, everyone to see this - the Prime Minister to see this. She's not a model. She's an amateur model. We're not exploiting this girl. We're not promoting sex.''
Maddison's mother, Michelle Gabriel, yesterday chose not to tell her daughter of the possibility she might not appear at the VIP event because she feared it would upset her on the eve of her 13th birthday celebrations.
Maddison had a sleepover with friends on Friday night and spent yesterday morning having McDonald's with mates before they had their own fun make-up session.
"This was going to be her 13th birthday present. She didn't really know about it (not being allowed to appear),'' Mrs Gabriel said. "I didn't think it was necessary. I think it (tonight) will be fun.''
The year 8 student was smiling on arrival at the Arts Centre late yesterday, relieved she would have a chance to dress up with the older finalists.
"I'm really happy. I thought it was a bit silly when they might not let me in,'' she said.
"I'm not going to change my dreams. I know I want to be an international model. All this fuss is just silly.''
She said she was looking forward to her 13th birthday today when she could spend a normal day celebrating with family.
2:56 pm