Fashion Workers Act — Model Alliance

The Fashion Workers Act

As of June 19, 2025, models working in New York’s fashion industry have more rights and protections as workers.

The fashion industry is a $2.5 trillion global industry, and New York is its center in the United States. And yet, models, who are literally faces of the fashion industry, have historically lacked basic labor protections in New York. The Fashion Workers Act S.9832 (Hoylman-Sigal) / A.5631E (Reyes) closed the legal loophole by which model management companies have long escaped accountability and created labor rights for models. This groundbreaking law took effect on June 19, 2025.

Fashion Workers Act 101

Watch MA board member and Quinn Emanuel partner, Chris Kercher, and model and incoming associate, Savannah Huitema, break down the new law at our recent Know Your Rights event.

Footage by Brandon Harris. Video by Shaina Danziger.

Our comprehensive explainer aims to help our community and the public understand what the Fashion Workers Act does, who it serves, and how it is enforced.

Download our explainer

The New York State Department of Labor released official guidance to help models, model management companies, and clients understand their new rights and responsibilities under the law.

Read the guidance

Models: If you have questions about your new rights, or you believe your rights have been violated, contact our free and discreet support line.

MA Support

Our Path to Victory

In March 2022, we introduced the Fashion Workers Act on the 111th anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire with models, lawmakers, and allies. We passed the bill through the Senate Labor Committee for the first time.
In April 2023, we reintroduced the Fashion Workers Act with Amazon Labor Union Co-Founder Chris Smalls and held a press conference with Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal at the State Capitol. In June 2023, we passed the bill through the Senate 46-16 with bipartisan support.
In January 2024, we announced new amendments that will require a model's consent for the creation or use of their digital replica. We also held a press conference with supermodel Beverly Johnson to raise awareness for the need for protections against harassment and discrimination.
In May 2024, dozens of models traveled to Albany to share their experiences with lawmakers and ask for their support. We held a press conference with Assembly Member Karines Reyes at the State Capitol urging the Assembly to pass the bill.
In June 2024, we demonstrated solidarity at a press conference with SAG-AFTRA, The Writers Guild, and National Domestic Workers Alliance, among others, and passed the bill through the Assembly.
In December 2024, we published an open letter signed by over 200 models, including leading names, urging Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the bill. The Governor signed the Fashion Workers Act into law on December 21, 2024.
In June 2025, we celebrated the implementation of the Fashion Workers Act at a press conference with the NYS Department of Labor, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, models, and allies. Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon presented our executive director Sara Ziff with Governor Hochul’s proclamation of June as Worker Safety Month.