The culture of the fashion and modeling world is in the early stages of a polar shift, as the #metoo movement filters over into the industry, exposing the darker side of the business, naming predators and perpetrators, and all those complicit either by acceptance of a status quo or by denying victims and voice and justice.
All models, at any stage of their career can be victimized, simply because they do not know their rights, their vulnerability, language barriers, their need to work at all costs, and the long-held belief that models have to pay to play. Steps are being taken to finally change the industry to acknowledge models’ right to respect, dignity, adherence to labor laws, and justice when their rights are violated, without a loss of reputation, or work. Powerhouse publisher Conde Nast has created a Code of Conduct that will define all their productions going forward, creating a benchmark for the rest of the industry to follow suit.
In the wake of sexual harassment allegations in Hollywood and more recently in fashion, Condé Nast International has published behavioural guidelines for partners working on Condé Nast shoots.
Condé Nast International has issued a new Code of Conduct, effective immediately, to safeguard the dignity and well-being of all who work with its brands. The guidelines, which will be rolled out to partners in all owned and operated markets, stipulate that:
- All models on set must be 18 years old. Where exceptions need to be made - such as when children are essential a story - they must be accompanied by an agency-provided chaperone.
- Any shoot requiring nudity, sheer clothing, lingerie, swimwear, animals, simulated drug or alcohol use or sexually suggestive poses must be signed off in advance by the subject. No shoot participant may be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
A private dressing space must be provided to every subject on set. At all other times, subjects should not be left alone with a photographer, makeup artist or any other participant any time during a shoot.
Condé Nast U.S. and Condé Nast International began work on the Code - an update to the Model Health Initiative in place since 2012 - in October, following a New York Times report outlining decades of sexual harassment allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. To develop the guidelines, Condé Nast spoke with more than 150 bookers, publicists, agents, models, stylists, editors and others working across the publishing spectrum.
“We are committed to collaborating to find solutions to the problem of sexual harassment in our industry,” says Jonathan Newhouse, chairman and chief executive of Condé Nast International. “By adopting these recommendations all those involved in the creative process will be doing their part to ensure a safe and respectful work environment.”
In conjunction with the new guidelines, a committee of senior Condé Nast executives has been established to review any complaints brought forward. Should the committee discover any violations to the Code did occur, the company pledges to immediately terminate its working relationship with the individual in violation, and ensure that all other necessary steps will be taken.
Read the Code of Conduct in full below.
Condé Nast Code of Conduct: No Harassment or Discrimination
Everyone working on projects for Condé Nast should be treated with dignity and respect. All work done for Condé Nast must be performed in a professional manner, free of any form of discrimination or harassment. Any inappropriate conduct toward others, including but not limited to that based on an individual’s sex, race, color, weight, body shape, size, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or domestic-partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, will not be tolerated.
We expect that all companies and vendors working with Condé Nast have clearly communicated equal employment opportunity and anti-harassment policies. Condé Nast may request a copy of these policies.
Shoot Guidelines
Photo and video shoots must be professional environments. Any disrespectful or inappropriate conduct toward others, including but not limited to that based on an individual’s sex, race, colour, weight, body shape, size, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or domestic-partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, will not be tolerated.
Every shoot performed for Condé Nast must adhere to the following guidelines:
· All models must be at least 18 years old. Exceptions will be made for subjects appearing as themselves as part of a profile or news report. In the event a shoot calls for subjects younger than 18, a chaperone must be provided by the agency, and the agency must ensure compliance with any applicable labour laws, including child labour laws.
· All work performed during a photo or video shoot must be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to labour, wage and hour, and immigration laws.
· Photo shoot participants may not be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs (including unauthorised prescription drugs), and the consumption or use of alcohol and illegal drugs (including the misuse of prescription drugs) on the premises of a shoot is strictly prohibited.
· A brief describing any nudity, sheer clothing, lingerie, swimwear, animals, simulated drug or alcohol use or sexually suggestive poses planned to be incorporated in a shoot will be distributed to all concerned parties and must be agreed to in advance by the subject of the images. All attendees at the shoot will be notified of any planned nudity.
· A private dressing space must be available to everyone appearing in a shoot.
· If sheer clothing is to be included, appropriate undergarments must be provided unless otherwise agreed to in advance by the subject of the images.
· Any concerns a subject has regarding the amount of skin exposure of wardrobe must be considered, and no subject should be pressured to expose themselves more than they feel comfortable.
· While Condé Nast maintains control over creative and aesthetic decisions, any concerns of a subject’s agent or other representative should be given respectful consideration.
· We recommend that a model should not be alone with a photographer, makeup artist or other contributor participating in a Condé Nast shoot.
· Throughout the shoot, including any related travel, photographers and videographers may not shoot anyone engaged by or through Condé Nast other than as requested by Condé Nast.
All participants in a photo or video shoot must act professionally and refrain from harassment of any kind. Unacceptable conduct includes but is not limited to the following:
· Sexual advances or propositions.
· Any type of sexual activity or contact.
· Any suggestion, direct or implied, that submission to or rejection of sexual advances will affect an individual’s ability to perform services for the shoot or any other Condé Nast project.
· Display of pornographic or obscene material.
· Offensive comments regarding a person’s sex, race, color, weight, body shape, size, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, including epithets and slurs.
· Physical threats or assaults.
Anyone who has concerns about conduct occurring on a photo shoot may contact the Condé Nast contact listed on the call sheet for the shoot that has been provided and/or posted on-set.
I am optimistic that other publications, brands, studios, and agencies will adapt these guidelines, as more models speak out, find their voice, and demand the respect that is anyone’s right in any other industry. The fashion and modeling industries have a culture that puts the balance of power anywhere except in the hands of the model, taking away basic human rights for someone to earn a living without compromising their health, safety, and respect. If you are model who has been victimized, you can find support through the Model Alliance at www.modelalliance.org . We hear you. We support you.
XOXO Shelley
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