Law to protect models comes into force

After a lengthy legislative process, the Fashion Workers Act was officially signed into law in New York. The law aims to regulate the modeling and creative industries in the state and, in particular, to take action against “exploitative management agencies” that have previously been able to operate unchecked.

The Fashion Workers Act, which comes into force from June 2025, aims to ensure, among other things, that models have access to contracts with their own clients, greater transparency in spending, protections against harassment and a formal reporting channel created by violations. Model and content creator management agencies must also register with the state for the first time and “have a legal obligation to act in the best interests of the people they represent.” The law also deals with protection against the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI).

To celebrate, Sara Ziff, founder of the Model Alliance, which spearheaded the introduction of the law in 2022, published an open letter on the labor rights organization’s website, calling the signing a “landmark victory” for workers across the fashion industry would convey the message “that they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.”

In attempting to pass the law, the Model Alliance faced a number of challenges and backlash from those the law would essentially regulate. Since it was first filed, it has also had to pass the Senate twice, requiring adjustments to its original form. This was despite widespread support from fashion industry stakeholders who continued to strongly advocate for the law, either as supporters – namely the CFDA, Remake and Another Tomorrow – or as voices of those previously affected by the lack of regulation were.

Law passed after increasing pressure from over 200 models

Model and singer Karen Elson was among those who spoke out actively on the issue after facing difficulties during her 25 years in the industry. In a statement, Elson said: “Far too often, models go to work without a clear understanding of what they deserve, and then have to wait sometimes up to a year only to be paid a fraction of what they were supposed to be paid.” believed. It is unethical and should be illegal for such practices to continue. This legislation would create much-needed checks and balances not just for models, but for all creatives in the fashion industry.”

Prior to the law, management agencies were covered by the “casual booking exception” of the New York State General Business Law, allowing them to avoid licensing and regulation. The companies had the right to continue accepting payments on behalf of models, many of whom also suffered unacceptable living conditions and unjustified rental fees. Starting in June, such agencies will have to pay models and creatives within 45 days of completing a job and conduct on-set health and safety checks, something that was not previously mandatory.

Pressure on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign the bill before the end of the year – after which it would have had to go through another round in the Assembly – increased last week when over 200 top models, including Helena Christensen, Alessandra Ambrosio and Christy Turlington, wrote an open letter sent calling for the law to be passed.