First Dakota Fanning, Now Hailee Steinfeld Ad Banned In England

When a Marc Jacobs ad featuring 17-year-old Dakota Fanning with an oversized bottle of perfume between her legs was banned recently in England for “seuxalizing children,” we were happy to hear it. And when the country’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) went on to ban “socially irresponsible” photos of an anorexic-looking Amanda Hendrick, we thought that was pretty cool.

But their latest ban – a Bruce Weber-shot Miu Miu ad that has Hailee Steinfeld sitting on a railway track – is totally ridiculous. The ASA is banning the ad because Steinfeld is only 14 years old and is photographed in a “potentially hazardous situation.” They called the ad “irresponsible” and “in breach of the Code in showing a child in a hazardous or dangerous situation.”

Really?! Yes, railways are no place for kids to play, and apparently they’ve posed somewhat of a problem in parts of England. But as a Prada spokesperson was quick to point out (Prada owns Miu Miu), the ad was “part of a serious, high-fashion campagin aimed at adult women.” (You might be wondering why a 14-year-old is modeling adult women’s clothing, but that’s a whole other issue.)

It’s reached the point where it feels like ASA is just trying to meet some kind of “banning” quota. I think it’s awesome that they’re taking action when it comes to anorexic-looking models or underage girls in precarious poses. But to ban this Miu Miu ad simply because of its location, well, that’s just silly. I can’t imagine anyone in their right mind would even make the connection that a child is “dangerous situation.” Next thing you know, they’ll be banning ads featuring young models around a swimming pool (no water wings! Gasp!).

What do you think? Was the ASAP right to ban this ad or does it take overprotective to a whole new level?

(Photo: guardian.co.uk)