What is the Model Alliance?
The Model Alliance (MA) is a growing network of models and industry leaders dedicated to improving working conditions in the American fashion industry. Models have an industry voice through the MA.
What is our mission?
The Model Alliance believes that models deserve fair treatment in their workplace, and we aim to establish ethical standards that bring real and lasting change to the fashion industry as a whole. We support the enforcement of existing child labor and contract laws, promote financial transparency and redress for issues of sexual harassment, recognize that all models have the right to complete their compulsory schooling, and encourage a safe and healthy work environment that protects models’ mental and physical wellbeing. We seek to improve the American modeling industry by empowering the models themselves, and we do so by taking the following steps:
- Identify the unique needs of working models in the U.S. and address those needs through expert and confidential support;
- Educate models about their rights and provide a forum that allows models to share their experiences, voice their concerns and build a community;
- Organize models to establish basic rights and protections in their workplace that will enhance the health and vitality of the American fashion industry as a whole.
What are our goals?
We have 5 primary goals to improve professional standards for working models:
1. Provide a grievance and enforcement system for issues of sexual harassment.
2. Ensure that existing child labor laws are enforced.
3. Promote greater financial transparency.
4. Provide access to affordable health care.
5. Draft a code of conduct that sets industry-wide standards for castings, shoots and shows.
Our initiatives for the Spring 2013 season
Child Labor
At the Model Alliance, we recognize that child models are vulnerable. Most models start their careers in their early teens and because the laws governing child labor are not widely understood, they are often violated. We have outlined some of the current labor standards for models under 18 working in the State of New York. We hope that this information will be a valuable resource to models, parents, agents, employers and anyone who cares about the health and well-being of working children. Contact ModelReports@aol.com for help or assistance.
Backstage Privacy
In recent years, models have raised concerns about unauthorized photographs of them changing clothes backstage at New York Fashion Week appearing online. The Model Alliance recognizes that models deserve privacy from invasive photography while on the job. In order to encourage a more professional and respectful work environment for models, we are introducing our Backstage Privacy Policy, which recommends that as soon as “first looks” are called, show producers ensure that photographers and any persons unnecessary to the show’s production should leave the backstage changing area until the show has ended and all models have finished changing into their own clothes. Contact ModelReports@aol.com for help or assistance.
Model Alliance Support
Sexual harassment and abuse are problems in every industry, and sadly, modeling is no exception. Any young model who is the subject of unwanted and/or unlawful attention in the workplace should have somewhere to turn for safe, private, and helpful advice. Enter Model Alliance Support, a discreet grievance reporting system offered in conjunction with Actors’ Equity and the American Guild of Musical Artists. Model Alliance Support cannot offer legal advice, but we can advise models of their rights, including their right to say no to unwanted sexual advances. Contact ModelReports@aol.com for help or assistance.
Models’ Bill of Rights
To support our Model Alliance organizing campaign, models at our first bi- annual meeting produced a draft Bill of Rights to empower models to demand fair treatment from modeling agencies and clients.
