THE MODEL ALLIANCE PASSES FASHION WORKERS ACT IN NEW YORK STATE

By: Hillary LeBlanc

The fashion industry is well known for its less than agreeable working standards. For decades jokes have been made around hours put into creating garments or modelling, pain caused by clothing, expectations around weight, having to be okay with hair cuts done to you by the designer’s team, and unrealistic expectations about when you will find time to eat, rest or juggle working multiple gigs to survive. One organization in New York state is helping the working standards of models and fashion workers through active changes in policy.

The Model Alliance was founded by Sara Ziff. Through The Model Alliance she has created legal protections for models against financial and sexual exploitation, including the misuse of AI, and calling for transparency and accountability across global supply chains. As a survivor of abuse, Ziff was instrumental in the fashion industry’s Me Too movement by helping to expose industry abuses, supporting fellow survivors, and advancing survivor justice. Ziff has received numerous honors, including the National Organization for Women's Susan B. Anthony Award, The Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Positive Social Influence Award and France’s National Order of Merit. 

Source: Gideon Hezekiah @gideonhezekiah

Through strategic research, policy initiatives and campaigns, The Model Alliance has been promoting fair treatment, equal opportunity and more sustainable practices in the fashion industry - from the runway to the factory floor. Some of their work includes establishing child labor protections in the modeling industry and creating the first and only industry support line. The Model Alliance goes as far as to help fashion workers in understanding the laws applicable to them, encouraging them to have a voice in their work, while the organization conducts strategic research with leading institutions to inform policy initiatives, and educates the industry and the public about our core issues.

Most recently, The Model Alliance worked with the state of New York to implement the Fashion Workers Act. As the fashion industry is a $2.5 trillion global industry, with New York at its center for the United States, it may come as a shock that models don’t have basic labor protections. The Act includes ensuring model management companies and model management groups act in the best interest of the models they represent, avoid putting the models in danger and establish policies that address abuse, harassment, and any other inappropriate behavior towards models. This revolutionary law took effect on June 19, 2025.

The Act also outlines that companies / organizations must also try to secure paid work for the models and ensure that any work requiring nudity is legally compliant and that the model is consenting to the content being shared. The policy asks that companies provide contracts ahead of the model’s work date, provide information about bookings seven days in advance and in the models requested language, communicate on pay expectations and be transparent about financial relationships between the agencies and clients outside of the model’s work and ensure the model is aware of royalties earned for their work.

Entering into a modelling contract can be very confusing and tedious to navigate. It has been very common for models to pay up front fees for accommodations, travel - or deposits … just to work. The Fashion Workers Act prohibits any fees or deposits to be required before the model signs any contracts. Company’s can no longer deduct money from a model’s paycheck that was not agreed to in the model’s contract, or in writing through an itemized list of how each expense charges.

Source: Sergio Martins @smartins20io

The policy also explains that model agencies cannot require models to sign to representation for more than three years, can’t discriminate or harass models based on their identity, alter the model’s digital replica without consent, require a model to enter into a power of attorney agreement as part of representation and the management companies cannot charge commission higher than 20% of the models pay.

The process to have such an Act put in place is quite lengthy. In March 2022, The Model Alliance introduced the Fashion Workers Act with models, lawmakers, and allies. The bill was passed in June 2023 when the Senate voted 46-16 with bipartisan support. After amendments and press conferences, the bill passed through assembly and finally became law on June 19, 2025.

Model Solomiya Skoryk, who has walked for iconic designers like Christian Siriano, explains that the Fashion Workers Act is important because it finally provides assurance that basic workplace protections will be prioritized. “It ensures models actually get paid on time and fairly, without hidden fees or unfair commissions. It also holds agencies accountable so models are not left in unsafe or exploitative situations.” These regulations give models “more security”, she adds, and '“peace of mind while working resulting in a more professional industry.”

Outside of their work creating the Fashion Workers Act, The Model Alliance has resources to navigate child modelling, modelling scams, racial equity, sexual violence and unemployment. They also publish research and encourage anyone facing issues within the modelling and fashion space to reach out to them for guidance and support.

Ziff and The Model Alliance are at the forefront of a movement keeping models safe. It will be interesting to see if other states or even countries follow suit to protect models working in their countries.