After nearly three years of lobbying by politicians, models and other supporters, the Fashion Workers Act has been signed into law by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
When it goes into effect in June, it will strengthen the labor rights of models, content creators and other freelance talent in New York’s fashion industry. Hochul made it official Saturday. More than anything, the new law will hold modeling agencies and management companies accountable for certain contractual requirements just as talent agencies have enforceable labor protections.
The legislation will regulate management agencies and provide oversight in the industry. The aim is to ensure workers receive contracts, payment within 45 days and that they are protected from harassment, discrimination and unsafe working conditions. With Hochul’s signed approval, agencies will have a fiduciary responsibility to models, industry hairstylists, content creators, makeup artists and other creatives. It is also designed to prohibit any unreasonably high commissions and fees. Supporters have claimed it would deter predatory behavior by management agencies in New York that operate without oversight in the $2.5 trillion fashion industry.
Hochul said that she fully supported the goals of the legislation to provide protections for fashion workers “who have too often been subject to unfair working conditions, or [have] been exploited in the workplace. However, changes are necessary to clarify the duties of model management companies and brands to ensure they engage in contract transparency, as well as provide a safe and non-exploitive working environment for models.”
The fashion industry is an economic engine in New York State, with the semiannual New York Fashion Week generating about $600 million in revenue each year. About 180,000 people work in New York’s fashion industry, which amounts to nearly $11 billion in total wages.
The legislation was sponsored…