In a landmark move for the fashion industry, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the New York State Fashion Workers Act into law on December 21, 2024, set to take effect on June 19, 2025. This groundbreaking legislation addresses longstanding gaps in labor protections for models, an industry often rife with exploitation and abuse. The Fashion Workers Act imposes new requirements on model management companies, ensuring they act in the best interests of models with fiduciary duties, including financial transparency and safeguarding against harassment. The law also introduces key protections for digital likenesses, requiring models' consent for the use of artificial intelligence in replicating their appearance. This historic move comes at a critical time as the global fashion industry grapples with the rise of AI and increasing calls for worker rights across all sectors.
The law not only empowers models but extends to their clients and agents, who will now face heightened responsibilities for compensation, working conditions, and safe environments. By mandating clear contracts, enhanced transparency, and robust reporting channels for abuse, the Fashion Workers Act significantly elevates the industry’s ethical standards. Clients are also required to ensure proper liability insurance and enforce a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior. As New York remains the center of the U.S. fashion industry, the act has the potential to set a new precedent for labor rights in modeling worldwide, providing overdue protections and creating a safer, more equitable working environment for all involved. "The modeling industry is poised to gain greater protections with respect to the health and safety of models and their working conditions," says Varriale-Barker. Click here to read more (subscriber based).