Vogue's Pledge and The Model Alliance

This week, Vogue magazine's editors made a game-changing announcement, pledging to not hire under-age models or models who appear to have eating disorders. The oracle of fashion stated, "Vogue believes that good health is beautiful. Vogue Editors around the world want the magazines to reflect their commitment to the health of the models who appear on the pages and the well-being of their readers." Vogue's strategy includes mentoring programs for younger models, and better backstage conditions for runway models, specifically more healthy food options and a "respect for privacy." Vogue plans on checking IDs at the shoots and taking measures to assure models are not underweight. 

Vogue's Editors

In our previous post, TFG discussed the employment law issues facing the fashion industry, including the child labor law violations, health-care issues, and other illegal activities that models have had to endure in their workplace. It has always been an accepted part of the industry due to the lack of regulation. However, in recent months, there as been a general shift within the industry that can be attributed to a number of factors, particularly the recent deaths of models with eating disorders, the backlash Vogue faced regarding an editorial spread with a 10 year old model, and the launch of The Model Alliance by Sara Ziff.  The Model Alliance has brought light to many of the illegal employment activities that take place within the industry and has mobilized those within the industry to promote for more regulation. While Ziff was happy about Vogue's announcement, she and many others remain cautiously optimistic and hope that Vogue will carry through with its promise.