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Why teens and haute couture do not mix

After winning over tough fashion critics during the awards season and receiving great reviews for her breakout performance in the film True Grit, all eyes have been on 14-year-old wunderkid, Hailee Steinfeld.

And now high fashion Italian designer Miu Miu has picked the Oscar nominated actress to feature in their campaign for autumn/winter 2011. Another huge achievement from the rising star and a perfect fit considering she is a fan of Miucca Prada's diffusion line.

[See also: Hailee Steinfeld is the new face of Miu Miu]

Miu Miu dresses are a popular choice for Hailee Steinfeld

But all accolades for the tiny star aside, are women seriously meant to swoon over the latest Miu Miu 'it' dress when it is being modelled by a female who's barely hit puberty?

Prada's sister line has always been aimed at a young audience but there aren't many 14-year-olds who can afford luxury fashion.Previous faces of Miu Miu include Katie Holmes, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Kirsten Dunst, all over the age of 25.

[See also: Five year old posts make up tutorials on YouTube]

Gone are the days when adolescent actresses awkwardly tread the red carpet in outfits that looked like something spotted on the racks at M&S. Think Emma Watson at the first Harry Potter premiere in 2001 or Lindsay Lohan in her earlier career days.

Now young Hollywood stars, barely into their teens are being transformed by high-profile stylists and made-up in expensive designer gowns to rival the likes of Angelina Jolie and Cameron Diaz, women who are renowned for their glamorous red carpet style and have earned their stripes, having worked their way up sartorial ranks.

Baby-faced Steinfeld isn't the only teen American star playing dress-up. Chloë Moretz, 14 who played the foul-mouthed 'Hit Girl' in the movie Kick Ass, has stepped out in Stella McCartney and luxury Chanel attire. Then there are the Fanning sisters Dakota, 16 and Elle, 14 who have begun to receive a lot of attention for their style, appearing in Marc Jacobs campaign and Valentino haute couture respectively.

Left: Chloë Moretz in Chanel. Right: Elle Fanning in Valentino Haute Couture

Any women would give their left arm to rummage through the wardrobes of these teen fashionistas that are bursting at the seams with designer clobber.

These girls don't need to be wearing haute couture designs made for women. Designers that are bombarding them with expensive clothing are thrusting those girls into a world of materialism, before can even appreciate the value of money.

While it is great for them to experience the glamour of Hollywood, surely it would be more appropriate for them to wear something targeted at the own age, something their fans can afford to wear.

The concern here is less to do about the fear of sexualisation; after all there are plenty of young girls modelling who are below the age of 16 but more to do with the fact that teens shouldn't be worrying about the price tag. Thinking they have to wear £500-£1000 dresses compete with the wardrobe of a woman double their age is not the right message to send.

It is a little disconcerting that we have become obsessed with youth culture and glorifying children for their fashion choices. After Suri Cruise made it into Glamour's 'Best Dressed' women list - yes that's right, a five-year-old in a women's poll — the alarm has be raised.

There is nothing wrong with girls playing dress up and escaping into a fantasy world, but thrusting pre-pubescent females into the lime light, representing a materialistic reality before they can even open their own bank account is truly risky business.

Is 14 too young to be the face of a designer brand? Or is age just another number in the world of high fashion?

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