When Cindy Crawford (my personal favorite supermodel) was questioned recently about Vogue's decision to stop hiring models under the age of 16 (and models who, in Vogue's words, "appear to have an eating disorder") she had an interesting answer.

The Voguedecision (affecting all 19 of the magazine's international editions) has been hailed by the likes of Milla Jovovich to Stephanie Seymour's teenaged sons to Tyra Banks.  Vogue's decision is being considered "revolutionary" and ground-breaking.

However, when Crawford was asked to comment if she had thoughts on the matter, she said, "Honestly, not really.  I don't know. I guess it's...great.  But that was never one of my issues, so. I think that the fashion industry is in the consumers' hands because if they buy into it, nothing will change. If consumers don't like it that models are too skinny, or too young, and they don't buy the magazines, then believe me, then the magazines will have to change."

Crawford began modeling locally in Chicagoat 17, and briefly attended college (Northwestern, on an academic scholarship) before moving to New Yorkand beginning her international career at age 20.  When asked what the biggest issues a model faces in the industry today were, she replied, "You know, I don't know. I'm not still in the trenches right now. But if you make too many rules — like, 'You can't work this many hours' — it doesn't work, because sometimes you have to. Sometimes you have to get up early or be prepared to do the job in the freezing cold. I think that, again though, models have to have a voice and speak up for themselves, every day, on the job...People have to respect each other. And if you're working with someone who doesn't respect you, then leave."   Nicely put Cindy!