Designer Sophie Morin has defended her range of ‘loungerie’ for 4 10 12 year old girls, saying “All I wanted to do was offer underwear that is soft and pleasant to wear… that is suited [to] their age, and that wasn’t an extension of women’s labels, which are often vulgar.”

However in the market place her creations have been met with fierce hostility from both parents and parent groups alike. The range includes panties, bras, camisoles and T-shirts and is featured at Jours Après Lunes. The website shows young girls in full make up and a lot of ‘sassy’ looking underwear that is clearly not age appropriate.

But Ms Morin argues “All the photos show children playing children’s games, as we’ve all done. If you look at the details, you’ll often find elements of children’s games: dolls accessories, wooden animals, etc. A second reading is needed–no vulgar connotation. There is only one interpretation: children playing together, no more.”

Then why can’t children be left alone to take pleasure in just being children? Why are designers hell bent on adultifying them and launching them into a world of sexual awareness before they have had a chance to enjoy their innocent years of childhood games.

The range is disturbing because it is obviously suited to young women who are at least a decade older and indeed if you look at the young women’s range on the website you will see that the images and the clothing do not differ much between 4 year olds, 14 year olds and 24 year olds.

In response, Ms Morin said that, “triangle bras–and there are only two models in the collection–are worn as swimwear for youngest clients; these can be worn as a first brassiere for girls and even young women who aren’t looking for real support, since these don’t have underwire. There are no real bras in my collection.”

Writer Helen Splarn. Editor Dr Ramesh Manocha.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald