How Young Is Too Young for Leopard Print Bikinis?

Elizabeth Hurley is in some hot water after she was accused of sexualizing little girls by having them “strike adult poses” while modeling her children’s swimsuit line on her website. According to Claude Knight, director of the UK child protection charity Kidscape, “The pieces that are very adult which contribute to the sexualisation of young girls—especially in the poses portrayed—do not take account of the child protection concerns that have been well-aired.”

Most of the outrage seems to revolve around a leopard print bikini in which a little girl (under the age of 8) is posing with her hands on her hips. Maybe my American eyes have been singed by exposure to the age inappropriate exploits on Toddlers & Tiaras, but I don’t see anything suggestive about a child posing with her hands on her hips. Additionally, why is leopard print automatically deemed sexual? How can a pattern be sexy?

As far as I can tell, after reviewing the designs, the most offensive thing about Elizabeth Hurley’s kiddie swimwear line is that she charges $77 for a bikini for a child!

Should you really dress little girls in leopard-skin bikinis, Liz? Actress accused of sexualising youngsters with bikini range [Daily Mail]