Fashion Workers Act: New York signs law protecting fashion industry workers

The Fashion Workers Act, a labor law specifically aimed at models and creative professionals in the fashion industry, came into effect in New York State, USA, in June 2025. The law, signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul, represents a concrete response to decades of complaints about abuse, informality and imbalance in relationships between professionals and management agencies.

Image/reproduction: Gucci

Defended by the Model Alliance organization, the initiative brings important changes: agencies and companies that mediate the work of models, makeup artists, hairdressers, photographers and content creators must be registered and will be subject to clear rules on conduct, payment and image protection.

Among the main points of the new legislation, the following stand out:

A maximum period of 45 days for payment to professionals after the services are performed;

A ban on abusive fees and commissions charged by agencies;

Greater contractual transparency, with models being able to directly access contracts;

Rules for the use of artificial intelligence, requiring formal and detailed consent for digital replicas of images;

Prohibition of retaliation against professionals who report abusive or irregular practices;

Protection against harassment, discrimination and degrading working conditions.

The Fashion Workers Act also has a strong symbolic appeal. Its official announcement came on the eve of the Met Gala, one of the most prestigious events on the international fashion calendar, during a protest led by the Model Alliance in front of the Metropolitan Museum, attended by models and industry activists.

The expectation is that this legislation will serve as a model for other locations and encourage brands, agencies and regulatory bodies around the world to reevaluate their practices.

More than a regulatory change, it is a formal recognition that professionals who work behind the scenes in fashion deserve respect, dignity and legal security in their work.

The international scenario shows that the professionalization of the sector requires legal responsibility at all levels. For Brazilian brands, it is essential to reflect on the format for hiring creative talent and seek adjustments that guarantee good practices, contractual transparency and respect for labor and image standards.

At Carolina Lago Advocacia, we closely monitor the global transformations in the sector and guide brands, designers, agencies and creative professionals on how to maintain sustainable and secure legal relationships. Because the fashion backstage is also a place for the law.