Model pupil, 15, heads to the Milan catwalk... under her mum’s watchful eye
A MOTHER who catapulted her 15-year-old daughter to worldwide modelling fame pledged yesterday to protect the schoolgirl from fashion industry predators.
Olivia Forsbrook is spending half-term on the catwalk at Milan Fashion Week after her mother recommended her to a top designer.
The teenager, who has already appeared at London Fashion Week and made the finals of Top Model UK, all while studying for her GCSEs, will become one of the youngest Britons to appear in Milan and rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in fashion.
But parents Joanne and Mark say they take draconian measures to protect Olivia, including accompanying her to every shoot.
Mother-of-five Mrs Forsbrook, 52, said yesterday: “We make sure either myself or my husband is with her when she goes for a shoot. We are very wary because of previous stories of young models being taken advantage of. We are very protective of her.
“We also know about body image issues and so does Olivia, but she eats right and gets enough sleep. Because of her GCSEs we make sure she gets enough rest to do everything.”
Olivia’s Milan break came when Mrs Forsbrook sent photos and videos to Chanel Joan Elkayam and was stunned when the Manchester-based designer replied the same evening, offering Olivia the chance to showcase her latest creations in Milan.
The teenager, of Menithwood, Worcestershire, who attends Droitwich High School, said: “It’s been an absolute whirlwind. I’m looking forward to meeting the big designers. I’d like to meet Elsa Hosk, she’s one of my favourite models, and my inspiration I would say, is Kendall Jenner, she’s great.