Page 23 - The Katten Kattwalk - Summer 2025 - Issue 29
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New York Passes Law
to Protect Models
On and Off the Runway
By Justin Murphy
ew York is one of the largest epicenters to models for a fee. Lastly, a model management
of artistic expression, housing top group refers to two or more model management
fashion brands and modeling agencies companies that are owned by the same person(s),
Nalike. From striking a pose to walking business, organization or parent company.
down a runway, modeling has been a steady What to Expect:
profession for many New Yorkers. Starting on
June 19, all model management companies, model On June 19, all model management companies and
management groups and clients must comply with groups who do business in New York must comply
responsibilities and prohibitions set out in the New with certain requirements. Some key provisions
York State Fashion Workers Act (NYS Labor Law, include:
Article 36). Additionally, starting December 21, • obtain informed and voluntary consent from
management companies and model management models through a signed agreement before any
groups must register and comply with the New York sexually explicit material with their likeness can
State Department of Labor. be created, shared or distributed.
Who Falls Under the Act • provide models with a written or digital
Under the New York State Fashion Workers Act copy of their deal memo before work begins.
(Act), a model is a person who performs modeling This deal memo must state the model’s total
services as part of their trade, occupation or compensation and payment term, among other
profession and can be either an independent content, as agreed to by the model.
contractor or an employee of a company. A model • provide models with the final booking
management company is any person, business or agreement that the model management
organization that (1) is in the business of managing company negotiated with the client, in the
models’ participation in entertainments, exhibitions language requested by the model. This must
or performances; (2) secures, or attempts to secure, be provided within seven days of the end of
modeling employment or engagements for models the model’s booking. Model management
for a fee; or (3) provides counseling services or companies must make best efforts to sign this
guidance on working in the modeling industry agreement before work begins.
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