The Chinese agency representing a 14-year-old Russian model who died after taking part in Shanghai Fashion Week has denied allegations that she was overworked and exhausted.
The death of Vlada Dzyuba in a Chinese hospital on Friday has shone a light on the murky world of western models in China, many of whom are from the former Soviet Union and dream of carving out a career in the notoriously cut-throat industry.
The teenager, who despite her young age was allowed to model under Chinese law, began feeling dizzy and started being sick last Tuesday.
She was taken to a Shanghai hospital the next day but died on Friday after her condition quickly deteriorated.