Kiernan Shipka for Foam Magazine

Posted on Mar 4, 2013 in Fashion

Thirty-three years ago, a baby-faced Brooke Shields spread her legs on television and informed the world she wasn’t wearing any underwear. Why are we bringing this up now? Because we think a lot of people are going to have a problem with this editorial and we just wanted to remind them that it could have been so much worse.

We, on the other hand, don’t have a problem with it and think she looks beautiful.

‘Mad Men’ star Kiernan Shipka is featured in the latest issue of Foam magazine photographed by Hilary Walsh/Atelier Management and styled by Jill Lincoln & Jordan Johnson for Rachel Zoe Studio/The Wall Group. Makeup: Elle Leary. Hair: Bridget Brager.

The outfits are very cute and there’s nothing racy or sexualized about the images. Yes, she’s wearing a ton of makeup and truth be told, it’s more makeup than we think a 13-year-old needs (they said with a harrumph), but there’s always an element of fantasy in fashion editorials; especially ones pitched at young girls. Our imaginary 13-year-old would not be allowed to leave the house sporting that face, but we’d have no problem with her experimenting with makeup, like so many girls her age do. To us, this doesn’t feel like she’s sexed up; it feels like she’s playing dressup.

But granted: She looks about six or 7 years older here. Then again, don’t a lot of 13-year olds aspire to that?

And we’re sorry for saying this every time we feature her, but it’s crazy how much she looks like a combination of Jon Hamm and January Jones, almost like one of those computer simulations they do of celebrity what-if babies. “What if Carrot Top and Michelle Williams had a baby?” That sort of thing. Except without the freaky, Uncanny Valley issues.

[Photo Credit: Hilary Walsh for Foam Magazine]

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Andrew Schroeder

I see nothing objectionable. She looks cute and effervescent.
http://twitter.com/hugandpint Courtenay P

so pretty.
Sobaika

Nothing inappropriate about this. the outfits are really cute for a girl her age.
- ToothCake
  
  Also for a girl my age and I am more than a decade older.
- TheDivineMissAnn
  
  I agree, she looks fab, tho’ they could have gone without the *uck me shoes in the second pic. Otherwise, she is adorbs.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1576973112 Patricia Groves Dobrowski
    
    That was my one objection – those shoes. Otherwise, I’m cool with it.
    - http://www.facebook.com/AdriannaGrezak Adrianna Grężak
      
      I don’t think the shoes are inappropriate, if anything they’re referencing the TV show she’s known for. My mom’s super conservative and she let me wear more womanly shoes for some special occasion when I was 11
      - fursa_saida
        
        Yup, got my first pair of heels at that age.
  - uprightcitizen
    
    Same reaction. It all looks very normal teen, cute and appropriate, until you scroll down to those shoes. She’s also looking a bit like a “lollipop girl” (head too big for her body). Her proportions seem fine on MadMen, so I’m hoping this is just camera angles and she isn’t going down the waif road toward Olsen twin territory.
  - rumcg66
    
    I don’t think they look like fuck me shoes, but they ARE hella ugly.
    - Sadie-Ann
      
      Agreed. They are Elle Fanning shoes.
      - Celandine1
        
        You made my day. Almost snorted diet Coke out my nose at Chipotle.
      - http://cheekypinky.wordpress.com cheekypinky
        
        That was my first thought, exactly.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1208138556 Sara Munoz Munoz
    
    I think the clunky heels save them from going that route. They totally look like something my teenaged self would have tried to find at a thrift store.
zuzu

It’s not just the makeup that makes her look older; it’s also the hair. That’s late-teenage/young-adult hair. I think she looks good.
Jessi03

She looks beautiful, and remarkably similar to my 14 year old niece! Now I feel even warmer and fuzzier towards her than I used to.
Kristalbailey

I think she looks great! Just as you said, that make up is playing dress up more than being a real face she’d have on day-to-day.
http://twitter.com/sebwfu Shannon Beamer

Man, Sally Draper is the prettiest. I DID NOT look this polished and adorable at 13 (UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE CENTURY), so you know, good for her.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=13953311 Missy Covington
  
  You just know she’s on her way to meet Glen at the museum with all that contraband makeup… Oh Sally Draper.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=13953311 Missy Covington

I think there would be an issue if she were a few years younger, but as it is she’s approaching solid tween-to-teen territory. As you say, it’s not like she’s running around everyday in that kind of makeup.

It is also SUPER amusing for me to picture a T-Lo and 13-year-old daughter family scene in a screwball, madcap, fashion-blogger comedy.
- formerlyAnon
  
  I say the fashion blogger comedy has Our Benevolent but [Happily] Childless Uncles temporarily taking in a 13-yr-old niece, to the consternation of all involved, including the most temperamental of the cats. Lessons are learned, loving bonds are strengthened, all look forward happily to periodic meetings lasting less than 8 hours, and Diva Kitty emerges and grudgingly allows herself to be placated with treats. And niece’s parents are mystified how several new and civilized behaviors have been grafted onto their offspring.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=13953311 Missy Covington
    
    Niece now says: “Oh honey, no. Just…no. Go back and rethink your life choices.” To her parents in response to their outfits/shoes/etc. at least three times a day.
    
    Parents want to know what the heck an “unborn fawn” is and if it’s some kind of newfangled hippity-hop group.
    
    This needs to happen.
Introspective

ADORBS.
http://twitter.com/chylde chylde

You forgot one thing. She don’t have no titties, TLo, gurrrrrllllzzzz.
- http://twitter.com/chylde chylde
  
  breastesss. no breastesss.
  - StephanieLovesTLo
    
    inappropriate.
  - ChiliP
    
    ……what?
    
    Actually, since we’re talking about a 13 year old, I don’t want to know.
    - http://twitter.com/chylde chylde
      
      What I mean is she doesn’t look 20 yrs old, just like a child in her mom’s makeup bag == because she’s flat chested as a 13 year old can be. Why is that so inappropriate to mention?
      - ChiliP
        
        I agree that she looks like a kid playing with her mom’s makeup, but I guess I don’t understand why we’re bringing up her breasts at all (I feel inappropriate just typing that). She certainly doesn’t have anything on display here…I think we can have a discussion about her image without mentioning her chest, flat or otherwise.
      - http://profiles.google.com/dorothymichael Dorothy & Michael n/a
        
        Why do you feel it necessary to bring it up at all? Isn’t the fact that you asked why it’s inappropriate explanation enough? Sheesh.
  - SassieCassy
    
    what the actual fuck
ToniMacAttack

The eye make up in particular is SUPER heavy. But 14 year old me went through a goth-punk phase and would have called this “light.” So. You know.

I think she looks gorgeous. Nothing overtly or overly sexual to me.
- CozyCat
  
  I know a couple of women in their late 40s who are trying to work that same smokey eye. Believe me, it looks a lot more appropriate on a 13 year old.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Alexandra-Glorioso/10025811 Alexandra Glorioso

loving those boots!
- StellaZafella
  
  Me too! I’m much, much…OK Very Much older than her but I want those boots!
  - http://www.facebook.com/people/Alexandra-Glorioso/10025811 Alexandra Glorioso
    
    Oh, girl. We gotta get ourselves a pair of those. I’ll wear anything that little diva signs off on.
Elaine Lang

I have a daughter her age, this editorial is very much in line standard garb for her and her friends, except, you know, not available from thrift stores and TJ Maxx. She doesn’t look sexualized here to me at all, there is no coyness or objectification that I’m picking up.
http://gabyrippling.tumblr.com/ Gabriella M

This is how I wanted to dress/look when I was 13, so I am cool with it. It doesn’t feel forced or strange to me. Her makeup looks like how I wore my makeup to quinceañeras when I was 14, so I don’t really have a problem with it – it’s not everyday wear like the clothing in the editorial, but it’s an editorial.
Actually, I will take every outfit here for myself now, too, except maybe number three (I don’t have the California style to rock a classic denim jacket – I think it makes me look like I’m pretending to be the punky Jets girl in West Side Story). Maybe that’s bad since I’m nearly 25 now, but eh. I desperately want the floral top, the red and black jacket, and the brown boots.
http://profile.yahoo.com/R3DYATQM2QRPBUMNUW4YISMZ6Q Jane

I have teen daughters. The make up is just wrong for a 13 year old.
- bitchybitchybitchy
  
  It is a lot of makeup-it’s interesting to me that the stylists chose to go with a heavier hand on the make up since the clothes in these photos aren’t formal. They could have gone with a lighter, more natural look for her face and eyes.
- CMCH
  
  The makeup has everything to do with this being a magazine editorial (where makeup in adult model/actor shoots is also frequently amped up beyond what they would actually wear). If you’ve seen any recent event photos of Kiernan Shipka, her real-life red-carpet makeup is minimal and natural and as as it should be for a girl so young.
PaperPusher2

With that opener I thought she was going to be half naked. Soooooo glad that’s not the case nor anything close to that. Good job Foam magazine.
alyce1213

Well, of course she looks “good,” she’s a lovely girl.
But I still say harrumph — the eye makeup is way too sultry and heavy for a 13-year-old, and the hair is way too JBF.
The clothes are fine.
I’m very strict.
Judy_J

In that last photo she’s totally giving Betty Draper face. Uncanny! You’re right…she does look beautiful. She is sporting more makeup than the average 13 year old, but I remember being that age and experimenting with my mom’s makeup behind a locked bathroom door. I love the outfits she’s wearing. Completely age-appropriate.
Pants_are_a_must

My only qualm would be the aging make up, truth be told. Se looks lovely, but uh, not underaged. It’s not as bad as it could be, but it’s not great either, considering how sexualized young girls are.
CatherineRhodes

Don’t most models start at 13 or 14?
- alyce1213
  
  Not most, but some start that young if they have the poise. More like 16-18 yrs old. It’s just easier to deal with things like school and work hours when they’re a bit older.
Imasewsure

Yes it’s sexualized but as you say, could have been worse… great clothes and she’s actually giving different face here too! She’s going to be a stunner, that little Hamm-Jones!!
- http://twitter.com/PhDKnitter marlie
  
  See, I don’t think it’s sexualized at all. The clothing is perfectly age appropriate, and the posing isn’t provocative at all, and she’s not pouting seductively at the camera. The makeup is certainly too heavy for someone her age, but it’s not “sexy” makeup. She’s not wearing a bold red lip or tons of heavy rouge and batting 2-inch long eyelash extensions.
Annabelle Archer

No pearl clutching necessary here. She looks quite lovely. Yes, it’s not “everyday” make up for a girl her age, but they show no Lolita type poses or implications of naughty innuendo. But I do appreciate that we are being aware of that type of marketing and as a collective voice are rising against it.
mjude

she is adorable. reminds me of emma watson
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VZLU6YVO4BRTELTTH3GRAAMWZQ Dot

I agree that she appears as though she’s playing dress-up. That said, I don’t think she could pass for even 16 in these photos. She looks like a 13 year old playing with makeup. I think she looks adorable and surprisingly effortless, given the unusually heavy makeup. Jesus, I can only imagine what a stunner this girl is going to be later in life.
sablehunter

She is adorable. Suri Cruise is going to be so jealous.
Nicholas

Looks fine. She should still file a pre-emptive restraining order against Terry Richardson, though.
- ankali
  
  That should probably just be included with childhood vaccinations from now on.
  - H2olovngrl
    
    -Cracking up right now.
Vaniljekjeks

Adorable. And I’m not one to judge, being that at age thirteen, I had blue hair and wore lipstick to match. I was also fond of raccoon-eyes.
Janet B

It’s a cute spread.
My (few years older) teen dresses in a similar fashion.

Kiernan’s dark eyebrows/blond hair work so much better than Julianne Hough’s.
cmb92191

She could be any 13-14 year old in my area- clothing is appropriate, just a tad too much makeup, and the tousled hair. She looks more grown up than her red carpet appearances. There is nothing too short, too tight, or too loose. (spoken as a mom of a teenager girl– I approve!)
- golden_valley
  
  Agreed. My 13 year old (now 20) wore equal amounts of makeup. I didn’t like it much, but there were many worse things she could have been doing. The pose on the table probably triggered the Brooke Shields analogy, but to me it looks like the crappy posture that kids adopt. In the context of the whole photo array, it looks like nothing sexual was intended.
NDC_IPCentral

I think what helps to keep this pictorial from the inappropriate are Kiernan’s facial expressions. She isn’t trying to project worldliness – she comes off as a teen without being unfortunately “knowing,” even with the heavy makeup. Had there been more pouty-mouth or come-hither glances, then there’d be discomfort.
- alyce1213
  
  I so agree, said pretty much the same about her sweet expressions, but I’m still not on board with the sultry eye makeup.
- Fordzo
  
  I agree. When she starts making duck lips, I’ll get worried.
- http://twitter.com/PhDKnitter marlie
  
  Agree 100%. There’s nothing “provocative” about her expressions or her poses.
H2olovngrl

She reminds me of Emma Watson here, although I totally see what you mean about the combination of January Jones and Jon Hamm. Something in the seriousness of her expressions remind me of JJo, combined with her coloring and her big eyes and wide mouth which are totally Hamm. She looks very pretty.

I have a twelve year old that is at the experimental makeup and hair stage, and sometimes you just have to purse your lips disapprovingly and turn away. The hair is what really kills me. Ugh, what a twelve year old thinks is stylish and flattering…just…no. Kiernan’s hair looks good here at least.
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Jessica-TallGirl-Freeman/1043623567 Jessica TallGirl Freeman
  
  I get the Emma Watson vibe as well. Perhaps because they both seem very well put together for the age they entered Hollywood.
- http://twitter.com/foodycatAlicia foodycatAlicia
  
  Totally Emma Watson – down to the little half smile.
- bookish
  
  I immediately thought of Emma Watson, too, and went scrolling through the comments to see if anyone else had mentioned it. I especially see the similarity in the last photo, but I think it’s mostly the strong eyebrows and hair color.
captrenault

Not seeing anything that’s terribly inappropriate, but Sister Margaret would still have sent her to the washroom to scrub that makeup off.
http://twitter.com/ticking_tocking Amy

I’m afraid I wore this much makeup as a 13 year old, though not as well done. There was a lot of blue eyeshadow and dare I say, blue mascara, in my not so distant past.

She is lovely and it is very freaky how she absolutely looks like the true child of Jon Hamm and January Jones.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=13953311 Missy Covington
  
  I still don’t wear *any* blue eyeshadow today because I am so self-scarred by teenage me.
  - http://twitter.com/ticking_tocking Amy
    
    Me neither! And I love colorful makeup…but I cannot do blue.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21151157@N00/ rawrgrowlrawr

She is absolutely gorgeous. I’m ten years older than her, yet I am feeling a distinct pang of envy.

Even the thought of the Brooke Shields campaign makes my skin crawl. I’m so happy this lovely young lady isn’t going in that direction.
Tashina Savage

Love the outfits. She is so beautiful.
MsALVA

That first picture, she could be an Olsen twin. I do not know how to feel about that. I agree, while she looks much older with all that makeup, at least it’s not tacky.
Tatiana Luján

I don’t like the first picture, but she looks very pretty in the others.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jessica-TallGirl-Freeman/1043623567 Jessica TallGirl Freeman

I love it. I take no issues with the caked on make-up for magazine shoots–it kinda goes with the territory. If she looked like this every time we saw her, I would be concerned.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=528009972 Jennifer Small

I think she looks wonderful.
Annie Leung

She looks gorgeous here! I’m 10 years older than her and I wish I looked like that (I love her outfit in the last pic with the boots). There’s nothing wrong with the pics here and I agree T-Lo, it could have been much much worse.
tessasouthworth

The Abyssinian cat is the most beautiful accessory I’ve seen on these pages in- well, maybe forever! And yes, our little Mad Girl (as I’m pretty sure all of us kittens lay claim to be her adoptive aunties and uncles) is beautiful too!
- alyce1213
  
  “The Abyssinian cat” ?
  Where, please. I missed it.
  - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VZLU6YVO4BRTELTTH3GRAAMWZQ Dot
    
    I believe she’s referring to the little guy on Kiernan’s lap in the next to last photo — though, this animal looks suspiciously dog-like to my eyes.
- mhleta
  
  It’s a friggin’ chihuahua!
  - H2olovngrl
    
    Maybe Tessasouthworth has an itty-bitty little smartphone. Too funny!
- mightbewrong
  
  Chihuahuas are the prettiest cats.
carolynmo

She looks fabulous! Terrific pictures!
http://twitter.com/Gigi76 Gigi76

I think she looks great. She’s so pretty and composed, can’t wait to continue to see her grow up. And after seeing these pics, I have an urge for her and Hermione Granger to play sisters in something, they look a lot alike.
f_yeah_marie

Very tasteful and cute.
decormaven

Beautiful girl, for sure. Can’t wait for Mad Men; Don Draper’s karma wheel is gonna roll on him when Sally hits teen time square on. I can’t wait to see how he deals with her boyfriends.
MilaXX

Last week Amandla Steinberg tweeted a picture of her dinner “date” and it turned out to be Keirnan. The fact that these (in my mind) little ladies hanging out together made me smile. I don’t have a problem with this photoshoot, but the makeup is too heavy. If they had just shown some restraint on the eyes they may have been okay with the rest of the makeup
BP180

Ehhhh…hate to be a prude, but I do find the spread leg photo inappropriate. What woman naturally sits with her legs splayed open like that? And if it’s not a natural pose, then someone asked her to do it. And it just feels gross to imagine someone saying to her “a little wider, dear.”
- http://hearmeintheharmony.wordpress.com/ Melanie
  
  This is the only thing I don’t like about these pics (and the shoes in that particular shot).
- http://www.facebook.com/AdriannaGrezak Adrianna Grężak
  
  “What woman naturally sits with her legs splayed open like that? ”
  
  That’s not a natural pose, we’re socially conditioned to believe that it’s inappropriate for women.
- AthenaJ
  
  Glad someone else noticed, and I’m guessing that’s why TLo refereneced the Brooke Sheilds er… incident. I’ve never been one to cross my ankles demurely, but generally one doesn’t sit with their legs splayed that far apart. So yeah, they probably directed her to do that on purpose. At least they didn’t use a big perfume bottle as a prop a la Fanning sister.
- http://twitter.com/PhDKnitter marlie
  
  Every teenager girl I’ve ever known – including myself – has sat like that at some point or other. That is, until Mom, a teacher, or another adult says to “sit up straight like a lady.”
- buildmeatower
  
  I do. I have pretty much all my life. It’s one of the (many) reasons I don’t wear skirts.
MzzPants

If only every 13 yr. old girl could have a team of people making sure they look their best. Such a tough age.

She looks lovely and, having a 14 yr. old daughter, I see nothing out of line with current norms. She’s wearing some makeup, is dressed modestly, and has an adorable dog. ‘Bout sums it up in this house.
sagecreek

Jesus, I have to disagree with most of you. The thigh-spread thing, the doggie between the thighs?

This is pedophile central.
- procrastinatrice
  
  I have to agree, especially with the thigh-spread shot on the table. The make up I can deal with, but that shot is too suggestive.
- mhleta
  
  At least it wasn’t a cat. Agree 100%, though.
- http://hearmeintheharmony.wordpress.com/ Melanie
  
  The dog doesn’t bother me at all, but I’m with you on the spread thigh pic. Though I think “pedophile central” is bit too dramatic.
- alyce1213
  
  But her legs are together and the little doggie is sitting ON her lap! Nothing wrong with that.
  It’s the too-heavy eye makeup that bothered me a bit and the tousled hair, but not quite to a pedophile degree; just a touch too much.
greyhoundgirl

Yeah, the make-up is a little heavy—and the shoes. But for the most part this is beautiful and age appropriate. She looks dreamy in a sophisticated teen kind of way.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1531695734 Melinda Mary

She looks fabulous and I love almost everything, but I think there is just a little bit too much make up around the eyes and those gold shoes are too old for her. Unfortunately, I’ve turned into an old fuddy duddy when it comes to what I think is appropriate for young girls to dress in and how they pose in fashion magazines. Ironic given what I argued with my mother about wearing at that age.
mhleta

I have a 13 year old. If this were my daughter I’d put the kibosh on the shot with her legs spread on the table and the little cherry balls lying on the floor underneath. Wayyyyyy too much subtext going on there that I’m really not comfortable with. Otherwise, I think the clothes are cute, but the makeup is too much by half. She’s grown into such naturally beautiful girl, why must we tart her up like this?
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VZLU6YVO4BRTELTTH3GRAAMWZQ Dot
  
  Cherry balls? I’m pretty sure they’re just string lights. I have some exactly like that in my kitchen; they’re from Target, not the pedophile store.
  - mhleta
    
    I know they’re lights, but when you’re styling a shoot like this, nothing is accidental. Like I said, subtext.
  - H2olovngrl
    
    The pedophile store in my town is across from the target.
    - mhleta
      
      They actually have a kiosk in our Target right next to the cherry ball lighting department.
      - H2olovngrl
        
        Well! Isn’t that nice!
- mightbewrong
  
  I’m more uncomfortable about how you found sexual subtext where there simply isn’t any.
  - mhleta
    
    I may well have spent too many years analyzing literary metaphors, and really I just threw that in for added hyperbole, but I truly am uncomfortable with the leg spread shot, though I do like the clothing and her very much.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002396153672 Ann Martina

She looks like a young Peggy Lipton in the first photo
notterriblybitter

She looks like Emma Watson’s little sister.
http://profiles.google.com/dorothymichael Dorothy & Michael n/a

Except for the Lost in Space high heels in the secobd picture, everything is very age-appropriate on this lovely girl. Well, that and the makeup which you already addressed. She’s a knockout.
margaret meyers

Your harrumphing is correct. The slather of makeup looks bad on a face that is identifiably still going through puberty.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=610791985 Aniela Marie Perry

My first thought was how much she looks like the child of Jones and Hamm, it’s almost scary! She’s cute here, I definitely experimented with lots of makeup when I was 13.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NMLK23QK6C7NMLMVVYA5POXKJY WhiteMage

wow. she looks like chloe moretz! sally’s growing up :sniff:
mightbewrong

Hmm, even though it’s not sexualized per se, she looks like she could be the same age as me and it’s kind of unnerving. They don’t want to make the poses or clothes suggestive….but then they go and make her look 17-18. It’s in odd territory.

But whatever, she does look gorgeous. I keep imagining if it was me at thirteen, complete with the beginnings of acne, green eyeshadow, and a Happy Bunny t-shirt. I was extremely glamorous.
Le_Sigh

Cute! She is clothed and not Lolita-y and looks appropriately tweenagerish. Its a lot of makeup, but really, it seems like all in good fun.
random_poster

Would never have guessed that was Kiernan from the thumbnail pic. The outfits are adorable and she looks pretty. The eye make-up is jarring, but I don’t mind it. That open leg pose wasn’t a big deal when I first scrolled by, but the more I stop and think about it the worse it gets.
Beardslee

Girls that age love heavy eye makeup; at least in her case it is well applied.
It would freak me out if my daughter looked so grown up when she was 13 but as you say, this is a photo shoot and therefore not real.
Not sexualized to me. Just a pretty girl hanging out.
Little_Olive

I could have done without the spread legs and too heavy makeup and be happy with this.
MK03

It’s scary how much she’s turning out to resemble her TV mom. Their casting director needs a raise.
nannypoo

I think she looks perfect for the situation she’s in, just like she always does. Here she’s in pictures in a magazine, not shopping at the mall or sitting in her math class or even walking a red carpet. Her life is in no way like the lives of other girls her age, and she and the adults who advise her have done a commendable job in keeping her age-appropriate for her public appearances. A magazine shoot is among the most artificial elements of the artificial world she lives in, so of course her appearance when she’s featured in a magazine is enhanced and extreme. She’s gorgeous.
Crystal

I think she looks great!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Julie-Chase/731391326 Julie Chase

She’s a gorgeous kid. I covet her eyebrows.
Inspirit

Is it just me, or she looks very much like Emma Watson?
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_F73LIJ3SJGI5AJQMXMWXCKILHI Pamela
  
  It’s not just you. I mentioned that a while ago. She could be her little sister.
rumcg66

yeah, for real life that’s WAY WAY too much eye makeup for a 13 year old, but for a magazine? Not so much. I’m just so happy they didn’t tart her up otherwise.
lobsterlen

She is an absolutely beautiful girl. Wow. Kiernan is one of the best child actors I have seen. I don’t know of any girl actors performance that compares to her. A natural. I have to go back to Jodi Foster.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1208138556 Sara Munoz Munoz

I love this girl.
DTLAFamilies

You know what’s bothering me about this? It isn’t that she’s being sexualized. It’s that grown women are styled like this all the time for magazines. It’s like there’s this Twilight Zone of acceptable appearance that so many female celebs are crammed into. You could put this exact outfit with this exact makeup and styling on a 20-something women. But it becomes problematic when it feels like all girls and women between the ages of 13 and 45 are aspiring to look the same way.
- bd73
  
  not just problematic, the distortion bleeds through our entire culture. how aggravating it has been to have grown up in the 80s only to be offered pretty much the same clothes throughout my adult life. i have spent two decades trying to distinguish myself from schoolgirls sartorially. when i was 22 i met a 12 year-old who looked ten years older than me. i was still a skinny, fresh-faced grad. she was buxom and styled hair/nails/clothes to the nines. no one would have thought i was the adult.
formerlyAnon

As a parent, I only WISH that 13 year olds look this non-sexualized in daily life. The stuff that slides in under the local schools’ dress codes makes these ensembles look like they were put together by one’s conservative, religious grandmother.
Trisha26

Nothing scandalous in outfits or poses, but I’m def getting a disconcerting Lolita-ish vibe from the makeup. She looks 16 to 18. Sort of a pubescent version of Toddlers & Tiaras. Experimentation at home is fine, playing a role in films is fine, but girls will want to emulate this – that’s what the editorials are hoping for. Metallic sandals are hein.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000905542323 Rhonda Shore

Lo-Lee-Ta.
jilly_d

I think she looks absolutely beautiful. That said, I would have no qualms about beating her unconscious and stealing that entire look with the red/Navy jacket and leather boots.
Nonmercisansfacon

Mmmh where would one go about procuring the pair of boots in that last picture? And she looks really nice. Can’t wait to see what ‘Suri’ (from Suri’s Burn Book) will make of that editorial from one of the only child star who gets her sceal of approval!
CarolinLA

It would’ve been worse if they put a cat on her pelvic region instead. This whole layout looks like some publicist’s idea to age her when she herself is content being where she is.
- H2olovngrl
  
  I really don’t see the problem with the dog on the lap. I feel like we are making something mundane into something mountainous. Girls hold pets on their laps. So do men, women, boys; and sometimes we do it in shorts, skirts, pants or dresses. I don’t see it as suggestive. Also, everybody moves to the beat of their own drum, so who really knows what someone may find suggestive about this? What I am getting at is there is probably someone somewhere who is getting his rocks off from this spread, even though these photos are still well within the boundaries of decency and you can’t control how the off kiltered types are going to take it.
  - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VZLU6YVO4BRTELTTH3GRAAMWZQ Dot
    
    I agree. Is the girl not allowed to put anything on her lap, for fear of being suggestive? Since when does “lap” equal “pelvic region” anyway? Good grief.
jkatkins

Agreed! She’s adorable.
guest2visits

Well, the table pose with her hands on her knees and the way, way too mature stripper sandals just doesn’t seem like a pretty or
neccessary way to display a 13 year old. The pose and the shoes are in direct conflict with the rest of the clothes and the editorial
as well. Or course she’s very pretty… but lots of noticable make-up, why I don’t know; she doesn’t need it, she’s 13 and the casual
clothes she’s wearing don’t really require it.
http://profile.yahoo.com/QK3MTAHUVJCMI7DANY6WFCAIUM n a

No, what’s innappropriate is the make up… And maybe the high heels. She’s 13, she’s gorgeous with NO makeup. How many 13 year olds do you know who rock the smoky eyes?? Consider what little girls her age think when they see this? That they need make up. That talent isn’t enough, that being pretty as you are is not enough…
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VZLU6YVO4BRTELTTH3GRAAMWZQ Dot
  
  Thirteen year old girls are already clamoring to wear makeup as soon as they can get away with it. It’s the nature of the age. Whether or not Kiernan Shipka is wearing makeup in a photography magazine doesn’t factor into the teen desire to do adult things yesterday.
Toto Maya

I wish makeup made me look that good. And now I feel like a loser for being jealous of a 13 year old.
Erica Moon

I disagree. As a teacher I can tell you if a 13 year old wears that much makeup, poses with her legs wide open(shot 2) and wears her mother’s heels then she is looking for trouble. Often abuse is suspected. It wasn’t right when Brooke Shields did it and it’s not right now. Tom and Lorenzo, I am surprised that you agree with the fashion industry’s promotion of this young teen’s sexualization. The “Element of fantasy” does not make it right.
- http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/ Tom and Lorenzo
  
  But this isn’t a 13-year-old in a classroom. She’s not even out in the world, she’s essentially on a set, in costume. It’s silly to compare fashion editorials to real-word examples. Just because you see sexualization doesn’t mean we or anyone else is required to call it out for you. We don’t see it.
  - Therese Bohn
    
    Of course you don’t have to call it out, but it’s still a 13 year old, and as other 13 year-olds will probably see this. If you’re not a parent you may not see the sexualization, but most anyone with children would probably find this disturbing. I think Kiernan is a fantastic actress and lovely little girl, and you both have often lauded her on her (real-life) age-appropriate attire and not appearing to rush things on the red carpet. But this editorial, despite being someone’s idea of ‘fantasy’ matures her way too much, and I hate seeing that. I think the clothing itself is fine, but it’s the spread-leg pose and over done makeup that make it wrong. Let her be a kid, for heaven’s sake.
    - http://www.tomandlorenzo.com/ Tom and Lorenzo
      
      ” If you’re not a parent you may not see the sexualization, but most anyone with children would probably find this disturbing.”
      
      We always find it hilarious when people make broad claims like this in a thread full of responses that immediately prove it wrong.
      
      By the way, that “spread-leg pose” is most commonly referred to as “sitting.”
      - H2olovngrl
        
        Thank you! I thought we were beyond the era of girls having to sit with their legs demurely crossed at all times. To me she looks like she hopped up on the table and sat a spell, possibly swinging her legs.
        It isnt like she is spread eagle on there.
bd73

a combo of them except two blue-eyed people can’t have a brown-eyed child… except for the silver shoes, i like this shoot. dare i say…the next emma watson of actress/junior models?
- H2olovngrl
  
  The genetics aren’t as simple as that. It is rare, but it can happen.
- EEKstl
  
  That’s so funny, I think that all the time too, about them often casting a brown-eyed kid for two blue-eyed actors; my understanding is that it wasn’t genetically possible.
http://twitter.com/#!/Space_Kitty Space Kitty

A *lot* of eyebrow for a child her age, but she continues to look utterly adorable.
- bd73
  
  i think those are natural, maybe a little trimmed. kid just has heavy brows. worked for brooke shields.
  - http://twitter.com/#!/Space_Kitty Space Kitty
    
    They’re working for her, just with all the heavy eye makeup, it’s reading more mature than I’m used to seeing her.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=805505 Steph Foster

She’s already gorgeous and you can tell she’s going to be a beautiful woman when she’s older. She’s also (already) a terrific actress.
j_anson

I think this is fine with the minor exception that she could stand to look a little less stoned in a couple of these pictures. But otherwise it doesn’t seem super age-inappropriate to me.
texashistorian

Very nice. She looks a little like that girl from Harry Potter, whatshername, Emma Watson.
BigWhiteGrannyPanties

It’s not ok to have her legs spread like that. it’s just not. Where the FUCK is her mother?
- guest2visits
  
  If she had a pair of Keds or some other kid-appropriate shoes swinging on the end of her legs; this would be a much more
  believable, natural way of sitting. But because they chose to use flamming gold lamme’ heels to punctuate her skin-tights;
  it turned into a certain type of pose. Mistake. As was the heavy use of make-up. It’s almost like the make-up person couldn’t
  restrain their hands -’look what I can do!’ – and went completely overboard.
  It was the one pic that had me concerned about exploitation, and I thought professional photographers would’ve been
  more considerate, or careful with such a young minor.
golden_years

I think the tousled hair and heavy eye makeup is definitely too much in the first photo. The other photos are better. I never realized how much she looks like Chloe Moretz.
http://korilian.livejournal.com/ korilian

She looks older, but not old. Especially that last pic is adorable!
http://twitter.com/malaulau Madeleine La

Love the boots and the jacket and the necklace in the last outfit. Also, Kiernan is gorgeous, what else is new.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1266410766 Phyllis Craine

I never had a problem with my daughters wearing lots of makeup – applying it with no skill however – *that* I had a problem with because raccoon eyes on a teenage girl is the worst.
http://twitter.com/jalae Janey

All I keep thinking is just how pretty and beautiful she is. Its like all the world’s prettiest features bloomed on her and her face. And talent as well.
shelley514

This little girl can act.
reebism

I feel like she looks like Emma Roberts. Emma Watson? One of the Emmas.

Also, I would wear everything she’s wearing here (and I’m 26) except for the heavy makeup and the ugly shoes.
Scarlet39

I don’t particularly like the pose in the second picture (just my personal taste), but overall I think she looks pretty and age appropriate.
http://twitter.com/PhDKnitter marlie

Yes, she does look older than she actually is, but she still looks like a KID. The makeup is a bit heavy, but it’s still not overly “mature,” if that makes any sense. And the clothes are adorable and age-appropriate.
http://twitter.com/mannahattamamma MannahattaMamma

anyone think that she’s basically Emma Watson’s baby sister?
EEKstl

She looks gorgeous and as age-appropriate as a 13-year old girl wearing a lot of make-up could. No controversy from where I sit.
libraangel

Um, yes
http://cheekypinky.wordpress.com cheekypinky

It’s a great shoot, and she looks great. That last outfit, especially!
http://asskickingadviser.com/ Ass Kicking Adviser

You two should have had children. You’re very reasonable. I agree on most points but I think the second pic is wanky – mostly because those shoes are SO wrong and too over the top. She’s adorable of course and yes, make up is too heavy, first thing I noticed. But, it’s a magazine, not the grocery store.
PrunellaV

It makes me a little uneasy, yet I have a photo of my little sister when she was 12 or 13 and my roommate piled on the makeup. Patti said, “Lu, look like a model,” and snapped the picture. It’s pretty cute and fake-sultry. Kind of like this.
akprincess72

This is not inappropriate at all & while there is a LOT of make-up, it’s not clownish.
andreawey

Our Sally is growing up
http://twitter.com/kbshee kbshee

She looks like Emma Watson (is that Herminione?).
buildmeatower

Reading the comments on posts featuring younger girls is always interesting because I appear to come at this from a significantly different direction than a lot of the commentariate. If I had to guess I’d say it’s a combination of being younger than most of the regulars and being childfree by choice and by circumstance. The fact that I have to date spent my entire life very deliberately dressing for no one but me helps. But I genuinely do not see the issue with putting younger girls in makeup or high heels or whatever. I personally didn’t wear makeup regularly because I discovered at a young age that I would much rather sleep than look pretty, but when I did wear it I wore a crapton. I wasn’t doing it to look seductive, or older, or rebellious, I was doing it because I thought it looked pretty. Ditto with shoes — I’ve always loved high heels and I’ve worn them semi-regularly for years (and very regularly since having my own income and buying my own). Again, I was doing it for me not for anyone else.

I get that this is a styled photoshoot, so it’s not the same as choosing for yourself what to wear, but I don’t think anything she’s wearing, including shoes and makeup, is unreasonable or too old or whatever. Yes, it manages to make her look 14-15 instead of 13, but that’s not a huge age gap and kids are hard to pin down age-wise anyway (or maybe that’s just me; I’m rubbish at guessing ages). So I guess I don’t see the issue? I think dressing up for the sake of dressing up is to be encouraged, and I don’t really see why makeup or high heels are inherently bad until some arbitrary age (which seems to fluctuate, but I suppose I’d put it at about 16 for when people stop freaking out about it).

(Re: spread leg photo, I mentioned upthread that I sit like that all the time. It looks like a fairly natural pose, though I assume it was posed by someone. Also her shoes in that last shot are great.)
mom2ab

Gentlemen I hate to burst your bubble but this is what 13 year olds with a unlimited budgets look like and what middle class 13 year olds aspire to (well except for the ones who have done something horrible to their hair, pierced themselves repeatedly and look forward to getting “real” tattoos). Adorable- oh to be young again.
kathrineb

That last picture is really fun/pretty. She seems like a really likable girl. Yay for her!
Candigirl1968

Most of the girls in my middle school wore that much makeup up (because when you can finally wear it, you want to wear ALL of it). It’s just disconcerting to realize she is growing up.

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Kiernan Shipka for Foam Magazine

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