Models launch Respect Programme against sexual harassment
The agreement is being led by Sara Ziff, founder of the Model Alliance
FASHION Sexual harassment
A collective of 100 models has banded together to launch the Respect Programme. Sara Ziff, who also founded the Model Alliance, is leading the movement and announced the programme at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit on May 16. The Respect Programme will connect women in the fashion industry, from stylists and models to assistants and photographers. The legally binding contract aims to end sexual harassment in the world of fashion.
Ziff recently shared an open letter underlying the importance of respect in the industry on Instagram. “We are calling on brands, agencies and media companies to sign a legally binding agreement to foster an industry defined by safe workplaces and mutual respect”, she wrote. At the recent summit, Ziff also highlighted that there are no basic labour laws protecting fashion workers. The Respect Programme also seeks to ensure that models are paid in a more timely manner, so that they are not indebted to their employer. Agencies including IMG, The Society, and DNA Model Management have been asked to sign the agreement. As of May 18, there is no reported response.