The Fashion Workers Act
Beginning in June 2025, models working in New York’s fashion industry will 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 lacked basic labor protections in New York — until now. The Fashion Workers Act S.9832 (Hoylman-Sigal) / A.5631E (Reyes) will close the legal loophole by which model management companies escape accountability and create labor rights for models. This groundbreaking law will take effect on June 19, 2025.
Our comprehensive explainer aims to help our community and the public understand what the Fashion Workers Act will do, who it will serve, and how it will be enforced.
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Stay tuned to learn more about models’ newfound rights.
A Message from our Executive Director
December 22, 2024
Dear Community,
I’m thrilled to share that Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Fashion Workers Act into law! This landmark victory, which affords labor rights to models in New York, sends a message to workers across the $2.5 trillion fashion industry that they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect just like everyone else who works for a living.
The law, which will go into effect in June 2025, will finally grant models access to deal memos and contracts with their own clients, increased transparency into expenses with limits on what can be charged to them, safeguards against harassment and abuse, and a formal channel to report violations without fear of retaliation, among other protections. For the first time, model management companies in New York will be registered with the state – which will protect aspiring models from fraudulent predators – and have a legal obligation to act in the best interests of the people they represent. Notably, models will also have first-ever protections against the misuse of artificial intelligence.
Passing the Fashion Workers Act is, in some ways, the culmination of my career in the industry, which started in New York when I was just 14. I saw up close the way in which the massive power imbalance between models and their management agencies led directly to sexual abuse. When I started speaking out and organizing my peers, I was treated like a pariah. We had a lot of structural sexism to overcome, but I knew we were right and our concerns were legitimate.
I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to every person who participated in our campaign – especially our Worker Council, whose courage and dedication over the last three years made this historic win possible. Whether you spoke out at a press conference, rode the bus to Albany, or called your elected officials, you did this. It’s no small thing to risk your livelihood to stand up for what’s right. In an industry that often left us feeling mute and isolated, we raised our voices collectively. I feel proud to have accomplished this together.
I’m grateful to our partners at Malkin & Ross, Pythia Public, and Evergreen Strategy Group for bolstering our small but mighty team – me and my brilliant colleague, Sydney – with their wisdom and expertise.
Last but not least, I want to thank our champions in Albany – our bill sponsors, Senator Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Reyes, for their unwavering support, and Governor Hochul, for standing with workers and signing our bill into law. Thanks to you, New York will set the standard for one of the most economically significant, culturally vibrant industries worldwide.
We will be back in the new year to share more about the rights we’ve won and our plans for the work ahead. In the meantime, I hope you will take time to relax, recharge and celebrate this historic milestone – we did it!
In solidarity,
Sara Ziff
Our Path to Victory
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
