Chanel criticised for casting 16-year-old model in new campaign

'She should have a lunch bag, she is a kid!'

As Cindy Crawford’s only daughter, a thriving modelling career for Kaia Gerber was probably always going to be in the pipeline.

At just 16 years old, the lithe-limbed teen has already become a household name in the fashion industry, walking for almost every major label around, including Saint Laurent, Prada, Burberry and Alexander Wang.

However, it seems that even being born into fashion royalty won’t immunise you against controversy, as Gerber’s latest campaign for Chanel has been criticised online by fans for being "too sexy".

Photographed by creative director Karl Lagerfeld for the luxury French brand’s new handbag campaign, the young model poses alongside one of the label’s iconic “Gabrielle” handbags, which takes its namesake from founder Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, in whose Parisian apartment Gerber is pictured in.

Gerber pictured on the Chanel runway in Paris for the French fashion house's autumn/winter 2018 show (Rex Features)

Reclining on a chaise in the infamous 31 Rue Cambon apartment as part of the spring/summer 2018 campaign, Gerber’s thigh-skimming skirt has caused some critics to label the imagery “provocative” and “inappropriate”.

“She should have a lunch bag, she is a kid!" one Facebook user wrote.

“Seriously? A 16 year old? What exactly are you promoting?” another added.

Others suggested that Chanel herself would not approve of the casting:

“It is not doubt that she is a beautiful young lady… too young, too barely dressed,” one person wrote, “I am just curious what will be Gabrielle Chanel’s reaction.??!!”

With prices ranging from £2,490 to £3,990, some have lambasted the brand for casting a 16-year-old in a campaign promoting such a premium product that few teens would actually be able to afford.

However, some fans defended Chanel’s choice of casting, claiming there was “nothing wrong” with the imagery.

“She’s not naked or doing something provocative in a sexual way,” one fan wrote, “she’s a teen enjoying what she loves to do ... and making name for herself ... she is the next REAL SUPERMODEL!”

Others lauded the campaign as “beautiful” and “absolutely stunning,” with some pointing out that a lot of models working today start aged 16 or even younger.

The Independent has contacted Chanel for comment.