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Why Modeling Is, Technically Speaking, A ‘Bad Job’

By Ashley Mears · Add Comment
The day I signed with a modeling agency in New York, a manager sat me down to explain the terms of our working relationship. I was excited to be there, even a bit giddy to be signing a modeling contract, but not so much as to miss the crucial terms: in exchange for exclusive representation and a "standard" 20% commission from my earnings, the agency would promote and manage my modeling career. In this self-employment arrangement, agencies arrange opportunities for models to work in exchange for a cut of their success, but they are not liable for models’ failures. The manager explained as much as he handed me the contract, stating, “Here’s where we don’t promise you the moon and the stars, but we’ll do our best to get you there.” [...]
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A Photographer Brings Deadbeat Clients And Shady Agents Into Focus

By Anonymous · 4 Comments

I’ve photographed celebrities and top models the world over, from Amy Adams to Coco Rocha, but I don’t feel comfortable writing this under my own name. Such is the tenuous …

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Makeup Artist David Tibolla Explains Why He Supports The Freelancer Payment Protection Act

By David Tibolla
My name is David Tibolla, and as a professional makeup artist and independent contractor, I am proud to step up in support of the the Model Alliance and their partnership with the Freelancers Union to help pass the Freelancer Payment Protection Act. I have been working in the fashion industry for sixteen years, and like many of my colleagues, have had my fair share of issues regarding payment and lack of support or protection. I truly hope that with enough support, this bill will be passed and provide all of us with recourse under the law.
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Fashion Law Institute Second Annual Symposium

By Jenna Sauers
The Fashion Law Institute at Fordham University gathered hundreds of legal experts, fashion industry stakeholders, designers, and lawyers of the future to discuss everything from the impacts of emerging economies on global trade to the future of intellectual property enforcement. There to talk about advertising, Photoshop, labor issues, false claims, and public health were community organizer Seth Matlins, photographer Adam Katz Sinding, computer scientist and Photoshop expert Eric Kee, law professor Barbara Pozzo, lawyer Annie M. Ugurlayan, and Model Alliance founder Sara Ziff.
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Coco Rocha and the Business of Modeling

By Kelli
At our most recent event, Coco Rocha sat down with budding young models to talk about the ups and downs of working in this idustry.  She spoke openly about the people to watch out for and also the situations to stay away from.  While starting at an early age, Ms. Rocha has maintained a level head while working in one of the most sexualized industries.  Speaking fondly of her fellow models, she talks about the sisterhood that many don't get to see.

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Child Model Petition

By Kelli
Children working in entertainment are uniquely vulnerable and need protection. That's why child actors, dancers, and singers are all protected by Department of Labor regulations. But fashion models--and only fashion models--are excluded from these protections. We're asking you to sign this petition that child models be included in the same regulations that protect all other child performers in New York.

Read the full petition

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Film Screening: Girl Model

By Kelli
Join us at the Brooklyn Museum for a screening of Girl Model on Thursday, March 14 at 7 PM.

A panel discussion will follow with Advisory Board member Rachel Blais, who is featured in the film, Nancy Schwartzman, Outreach Director of Girl Model, Paula Viola, Esq., a former model and current Associate at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, and Director of the Model Alliance Sara Ziff.
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Inside The Modeling Industry: A Conversation About Health And Beauty In Fashion

By Kelli
Stay tuned for photos of the event.
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BBC News: Models’ rights.

By Sara Ziff
Sara Ziff explains the need for greater legal protections for models and why she formed the Model Alliance.

Modelling is a seemingly glamorous profession, and models are certainly not the people you picture when you think of bad working conditions. But wipe off the sheen and another reality emerges.
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When Size 6 Is Fat

By Kelli
At 5'11", model & board member Amy Lemons struggled to maintain a size 2. She was told that she was "too healthy." After taking a break from modeling to earn a degree at UCLA, Amy returned to the industry -- on her own terms.

“I’ve never been happier. I wish it could happen for more girls.”
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Was Kate Moss exploited as a young model?

By Kelli
She is laughing, but the body language couldn't be clearer – Kate Moss covers her bare breasts with an arm, and hunches over, trying to conceal the rest of her naked body with a sunhat. The photograph, one of a series taken by Corinne Day that also included a topless photograph, appeared in the Face magazine in 1990 and launched Moss's career, though two decades on she does not remember the shoot as a happy one.
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Testimony to the New York State Department of Labor

By Kelli
On September 20th, 2012, Model Alliance director Sara Ziff testified before the New York State Department of Labor advocating for child models’ inclusion in the Department’s proposed regulations for child performers. Below is a transcript of her testimony.

"The industry has tried self-regulation. It hasn’t worked. "
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Reactions to Proposed Regulations for Child Performers in New York

By Kelli
"I started working as a model at the age of 15. I know first-hand the acute vulnerability of being a child working in an unregulated adult industry. It was not uncommon to be put in situations where I was asked to do things by adults in positions of authority to whom an answer “NO” would put my job at risk.
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Model Lounge: Recent Event.

By Kelli

The Model Alliance is teaming up with Model Lounge to share business tips that every successful model should know. Supermodel Coco Rocha, law professor Doreen Small and Model Alliance Director Sara Ziff will host the event. Model Lounge is an exclusive retreat for female fashion models at invited top 10 modeling agencies. This event is for female models only and it is not open to the public.
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Yes! MT @ninjasze Be still my beating heart.. are there 2 MODELS on the covers of June US Vogue AND Harper's Bazaar? Been far too long!  — @ModelAllianceNY

The Model Alliance

Organizing models to establish fair labor practices in their workplace

Recents

  • Coco Rocha and the Business of Modeling
  • Child Model Petition
  • Film Screening: Girl Model
  • Inside The Modeling Industry: A Conversation About Health And Beauty In Fashion
  • BBC News: Models’ rights.

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