I remember this age. It’s a really strange time. You’re fresh out of school with new-found freedom and you push boundaries with your wardrobe to explore your sexuality and femininity. You also feel invincible – all young people do – and pay little attention to the kind of messages your clothes might be sending because your focus is on yourself, your bright, shiny future and also you just don't care. What would the world know anyway?

This is also the moment when suddenly you don't have to wear a uniform every day so fashion becomes a novelty. This is when young girls dress older than their age and inappropriately. And often. It’s an important part of growing up, an absolute rite of passage and stepping stones on the journey of personal style. When I was 18 the icons to follow were Madonna and Wendy James. They were boundary pushers in their bustiers, tutus, dog collars and studs. I copied it all but there was something more rebellious and anti-establishment about their message and it had nothing to do with sex. I know that dressing like them made me feel empowered but not necessarily sexy. I can't help think that some of the more multi-dimensional heroines have been replaced by one giant Kardashian/Jersey Shore/video chick/Hilton/Victoria's Secret mush. There doesn't seem to be any celebration of diversity just a whole lot of glorification of waxed/tanned/augmented homogenisation.

This is the part where I begin to sound like a prude isn't it?

Self-expression through fashion is essential. Young women should look shocking, be shocking, get it wrong, get it right, have fun and experiment with genre, time period - all of it. I fear that's getting lost in a ridiculous rush to be sexy and an even more contrived idea of what sexy looks like. When did it stop being a pair of high heels and red lipstick and become Soft Porn Barbie? It's not just boring - it's dangerous.

Later in the week, at a make-up counter in a big department store I started chatting to a young guy waiting patiently for his girlfriend who was getting her make-up done. They'd both just turned 18. I said: “You must love her very much to sit here while all this goes on?”. He replied: “Yeah I love her but I love her heaps more without all that on stuff her face”.