EQUITY, the actors’ union, has won an agreement with the store chain Debenhams that it will abide by the union’s code of conduct on working conditions for models.
The rules say that models must work no more than 10 hours a day, with regular breaks, and be provided with food and water. Currently, fashion models are often expected to shoot an entire catalogue in a day.
Nude or semi-nude shots must be agreed in advance, and there should be nothing “dangerous, degrading, unprofessional or demeaning”. The magazine Vogue has also agreed to the code. ■