The Tween Wears Prada

 

The Kiddie Couturiers

Citation: Wilson, E. (2011). The Kiddie Couturiers. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/24/fashion/24KIDDIES.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&sq=tween&st=cse&scp=3

Reflection:

The article begins by chronicling the reaction to a 'spoof' article about a tween fashion designer. The problem? The spoof didn't exactly work. People responded wanting more information and praising the tween designer, not getting the joke. However, the article continues by discussing actual, live tween designers (such as Cecilia Cassini pictured above). There are tweens, such as Cecilia, obsessed with and designing fashion at their young age. The article takes a somewhat negative stance against the tween couturier movement, presenting arguments that tweens lack the history, culture, and craft of older designers. Also, by being a fashion designer, tweens are being exposed to public scrutiny at a young age.

While I definitely see the merit of the argument regarding public scrutiny, I think the same argument would then apply to young actors and writers. If one views fashion as an art form, should we really be hesitant to let young children experiment with their dreams? Should we tell young writers that they should wait until they're older to write? I think we have to walk a fine line here. It is ultimately up to the parents to prepare public tweens for the scrutiny and to decide if it is right for their child. And while I personally am not sure what decision I would make, I think we as a public have to decide how to react and what our reaction means to the up and coming artists, inventors, and dreamers. Does talent have an age limit?  

Resources:

Cecilia Cassini's site:

http://www.ceciliacassini.com/