Not-So-Model Behavior

Fashion photographer David Bailey has made a career out of capturing beautiful images of models. But in a new television documentary, he turns his lens back on the modeling industry, exposing a most unflattering portrait.

“Models Uncovered,” which airs Saturday from 9 to 11 p.m. on the Learning Channel, is as much about the mostly male fashion industry executives who prey on young models as it is about the models themselves. In an interview from the back of his limousine, ever-unctuous John Casablancas, head of Elite modeling agency, seems the epitome of this predatory group.

“I’m not sure his friends weren’t the ones hitting on me,” the level-headed Cindy Crawford says of why she left his agency.

In a running joke, Bailey and fellow photographers and agents rib each other about how many models they have slept with.

Although new models insist the line between professional and personal relationships has become more distinct, in the last few years drug abuse apparently continues.

“It’s a breeding ground for addiction,” says model Susan Bick. In a poignant interview, the young model James King tells of losing her boyfriend to heroine addiction, touching on a dark era in fashion, heroine chic.

Curiously, the documentary does not address eating disorders, which are reportedly rampant among models.

But there is plenty to be unhappy about. Models and fashion insiders muse about what they would do if their daughters wanted to follow in their footsteps:

“You’re a moron to let a 15-year-old go into this business,” Lauren Hutton says. “I’d do everything in my power to stop her,” adds Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour.

Perhaps the saddest thing is that countless girls read fashion magazines every day and fantasize about what it would be like to be these model women. If they only knew.

Booth Moore can be reached by e-mail at booth.moore@latimes.com.