TURNING up to the studio, Rosie meets her photographer before sitting for hair and make-up – then a stylist picks out her outfit.
She is six years old and managed by mum Toni Davies, who says there is nothing wrong with kids being made up like adult models.
And she is not alone. Last month Kim Kardashian let daughter North, five, dress like an adult for the cover of WWD magazine.
Katie Price has also let her girls Princess, 11, and, Bunny, four, do modelling wearing make-up. So what drives mothers to parade their young daughters in front of the camera?
JENNY FRANCIS meets three mums, and their little ones, to find out.
This is just something fun I do with my daughter
stewart williams
MUM Toni Davies, 29, has been putting make-up on daughter Rosie, 6, since she was five.
The single nurse from Swansea says child modelling teaches her daughter the basics of self-care and helps her gain confidence as a young girl. She says:
“From an early age I could tell Rosie was confident. She loved being the centre of attention so, 18 months ago, I put her into a local drama class.
She loved performing and dressing up and I’d always felt her distinctive looks made her stand out, which is why, last year, I signed Rosie up to a modelling agency.
I did it because I could see she had potential and I wanted her to show the world what she could do.
I booked us train tickets and, on the way, I told her we were going to London to see an agency to find out what it would be like to be a model.
I’d always felt her distinctive looks made her stand out
Toni Davies
She’d had her picture taken loads before, so was really excited. I felt she needed a challenge, but I didn’t force her into it.
We started off just working with a local photographer to get her used to it and I’d direct her on how to pose.
She seemed to love it – and so did I.
When castings came I taught her how to do catwalk struts and turns, and we started trying to master different make-up looks.
stewart williams
I learnt how to put her make-up on and started teaching Rosie how to do it. Now she has her own kit and we put lipstick, blusher and eyeshadow on her.
Two months later she got booked on her first job modelling for Adidas. I was so excited for her.
She’s appeared in pantomimes and modelled at London Fashion Week.
She loves watching make-up tutorials on YouTube and is fanatical about fashion. She has her own Instagram page, too. I don’t think she’s too young for make-up and work.
stewart williams
I think she’s learning self-care, learning how to look her best.
When I saw North West on the front of the magazine I thought it was amazing.
She looks so happy and confident, who cares if she’s wearing make-up?
I’m not a pushy mother – this is something fun I do with my daughter.”
Modelling helps her grown into the adult world.
stewart williams
SINGLE Leonie Laird, 27, says nothing makes her prouder than seeing her six-year-old daughter Savannah posing for the camera.
The assistant administrator from Stirling says her daughter’s experience using make-up from the age of four provides her with valuable life lessons. She says:
“Savannah did baby ballet but, by two years old, she was too old for that and we couldn’t find any other classes she likes.
I wanted to find her something to do that would challenge her and would give her a hobby.
That’s when a friend of mine mentioned pageants and I thought they sounded perfect.
I let her watch the reality TV show Toddlers and Tiaras and she was entranced by the show. We bought dresses and I showed her some turns.
I let her watch the reality TV show Toddlers and Tiaras and she was entranced by the show
Leonie Laird
From the first one she did I knew she was a natural as she strutted her stuff and learnt all the poses really quickly.
I signed her up to another one straight away.
Savannah loves the Glitz pageants the most, which involve the full dressing up, hair, make-up, and fake tan.
I went out and bought Savannah her own make-up kit and showed her the best YouTube make-up tutorials including lipstick, blusher, eye shadow and powder.
stewart williams
She now even films her own make-up tutorials showing other girls how she applies it.
I think this is an essential part of growing up.
Children learn about make-up and clothes by modelling and I don’t see anything wrong with that.
To compete in the modelling world, you must be competitive.
stewart williams
I spend a fortune on her dresses for pageants, in the range of £600-£1,200 per outfit. But it’s worth it.
I signed her up to a modelling agency and she’s already appeared in some magazine fashion shoots for children.
I’m proud of her. I think it’s easy for people to criticise mums such as Kim Kardashian or me, but I think introducing Savannah to this is important and helps her to grow into the adult world.”
It’s amazing that kids can express themselves
MUM-of-two Piper Ali believes launching her daughter Ruby River’s career as a child model has set her up for life. The 32-year-old baby clothing boutique owner lives in Tyldesley, Greater Manchester, with decorator partner Charlie Wong, 50, and son CJ, 12.
She taught her four-year-old daughter how to apply make-up aged two and says Instagram has helped with Ruby River’s success. She says:
“I couldn’t wait to introduce Ruby River to modelling. When she was just one I entered her into her first pageant.
“She strutted around on stage in a yellow cupcake dress and smiled the whole time.
After that we were both hooked.
A week later she competed in another pageant and we haven’t stopped.
stewart williams
As a child I suffered from crippling anxiety and shyness and I didn’t want the same for Ruby River.
I knew pageants and modelling would give her confidence.
Little girls love dressing up and, when she reached two, I introduced her to make-up, too. She loves it.
I call her my little diva because modelling and pageantry has given her the confidence of a showbiz star.
I call her my little diva because modelling and pageantry has given her the confidence of a showbiz star
Piper Ali
She rushes to the make-up and hairdressing chair and loves the camera. I think these are excellent life skills – she even helps her pageant buddies fix their hair and make-up.
We enter her into pageants every month and we’ve even travelled to the US to compete in some there, too.
A few years ago, I started her a career as an Instagram model – and she’s really successful online.
I get frustrated when people tell me putting make-up on a child is wrong.
stewart williams
Young ballerinas wear stage make-up – how is this any different?
When I saw Kim Kardashian helped her daughter North West appear on a magazine cover I thought it was absolutely amazing.
As mums, it’s important we allow our children to express themselves.
I feel it’s time people understand that pageants, acting and modelling is a chance for children to shine. And if make-up and outfits make them feel good, then it’s no problem of mine.”
