After nearly three years of lobbying by politicians, models, and other supporters, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Fashion Workers Act into law to secure labor rights for models and other fashion workers in New York.

The new law sets a precedent for progress and justice in the $2.5 trillion fashion industry. This legislation underscores the value of treating all workers with dignity and respect.

Effective June 2025, this law provides protections for models and fashion workers in New York, including:

- Access to deal memos and contracts with their clients.
- Transparency into expenses with limits on charges.
- Safeguards against harassment and abuse.
- A formal channel for reporting violations without fear of retaliation.
- Mandatory registration of model management companies with the state to protect against fraudulent practices.
- A legal obligation for agencies to act in the best interest of those they represent.
- First-ever protections against the misuse of artificial intelligence in the fashion industry.

In 2021, the Model Alliance was the first to receive the Positive Social Influence Award at the CFDA Fashion Awards, accepted by founder Sara Ziff and presented by renowned models Carré Otis and Beverly Johnson. Since its founding, the Model Alliance has been at the forefront of creating labor rights protections for models since its inception in 2012, injecting a labor consciousness into the entire industry as a result.

Photo: Model Alliance Plans Rally at The Met for Fashion Workers Act