“I’m tired of the loopholes in the fashion industry that leave models in cycles of debt and enrich everyone else. We must be treated equally and hold everyone accountable to the same standards of any other workplace,” said Battilana Gutierrez.
Modeling and creative agencies are considered to be management companies under the New York State General Business Law §171, known as the “incidental booking exception,” allowing them to escape licensing and regulation.
If passed, the Fashion Workers act would require management agencies to accept responsibility to act in the best interests of their talent and pay the models and creatives within 45 days of completing a job.
“The best look this Fashion Week is treating fashion workers properly and compensating them fairly. Models and creatives are currently unprotected by state law, and their agencies lack financial transparency and accountability when it comes to issues of both payment and sexual abuse,” State Senator Brad Hoylman said. “There is no question that fashion is one of New York’s most iconic industries, and its workers should be afforded the same protections as any other laborer.