Marc Jacobs is taking a bunch of crap for not paying the models who walk his runway shows in the US. He says that if they don't ant to walk for him, then they can go somewhere else. The thing is, most models at big shows don't get paid. They just trade clothes or other freebies for their work. A swag bag for 40 hours of work basically.
Because they are independent contractors, the models can accept whatever wage they want. No such thing as minimum wage for a model walking a runway show. Do I agree with the practice? I think everyone should get paid, but I am not sure how it is any different than a bunch of actors all working for free in a movie to get noticed. Models want to get noticed and walking a runway is the best way to get noticed and get high paying jobs.
I'd help construct the stage for a swag bag! I paid $40 for a heart shaped mirror from Marc Jacobs, & I rather not say how much I paid for pony hair ballet flats...
ReplyDeletei can say in France the models are paid for the runaways
ReplyDeleteI recall the Supermodels getting paid, girls like Linda, Claudia, Cindy and Naomi definitely got paychecks.
ReplyDeletei thought it was generally known that runway and editorial photos never get any big pay days. The real money is in catalog work and campaigns.
ReplyDeleteI love the combo of the skirt, socks and shoes. He looks like a pinhead.
ReplyDeleteTit for tat
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize they didn't get paid. A good model is selling the clothes for a designer, I think they should get paid or at least get good enough swag to sale on EBay.
ReplyDeleteBut the designers get more from the supermodels being there. Their names bring publicity.
ReplyDeleteThey are in a different league from the average model in terms of how they are contracted.
It's up to the models how and if they want to walk for free or swag but if all designers set it up so they don't get paid it does create a system where the models don't get much choice.
ReplyDeleteI don't generally think models have it bad though, other than what they bring on themselves.
@timrbob: there is a HUGE difference between "no pay" and "tiny paycheck" but you're right the real money is in catalog work ,commercials and campaigns
ReplyDeleteNaomi has been working for free for years just to keep her name out there.....
ReplyDeleteIf I was a modeling type, I would totally walk the runway for free if it were a famous designer. You get to wear fabulous clothes too...for free...and get possibly get discovered.
ReplyDeleteSupposedly globalization has been terrible for models' pay levels. There are too many pretty girls competing for too few spots.
ReplyDeleteI follow fashion, but I can rarely tell the runway models apart. They are styled to be walking coat hangers that bring attention to the clothes, not themselves. They are interchangeable by design.
I think it's ridiculous when you realize Mark Jacobs is part of the LV brand (I think) and they are estimated to be worth something like 19 BILLION dollars, so really? You can't throw a 500 check at a model for helping you get those billions?
ReplyDeleteCatalog work may be where the (stable) money is, but I'll wager that the majority of them out there are hoping for a big break to go into campaign work. That is what brings the big money and the fame. In the modeling world, catalog work is the lower end of the barrel. I'd prefer the security of catalog work if it were me, though, instead of working for nothing (or a swag bag) hoping I'd be the next model (needle) who gets discovered (found in the haystay) and shoots to stardom. Paying rent, groceries and utilities every month does have its benefits over a swanky grab bag. But that's just me. (I LOVE fashion, but my priorities have changed a bit in my older age...). And like the poster said above, they are just clothes hangers meant to show the clothes, not standout from one another model-wise.
ReplyDeleteOf course they should get paid. They are doing a job. I never knew this tidbit about bartering for clothes and whatnot. Color me stupid. I can't believe something so high-end, handles wages this way. The fuck?!?
ReplyDeleteThis is the original article from jezebel that started this whole thing: http://jezebel.com/5889757/marc-jacobs-doesnt-pay-his-models-says-model
ReplyDeleteIf you read it, you see that there are other issues at play here. The model in question is 17, and all of the travel, board expenses she accrues are being recorded by her agency. They say for most models, they won't even break even after they have to pay back their agency all of the fees they "owe". So in that situation, being paid in trade really does screw you.
Just a good read to make sure you're well informed as Enty's recap was a bit brief :)
How is this any different than unpaid internships that college students compete for? You do those for the experience, exposure and bullet points on your resume.
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ReplyDeleteso are all these models blowing their landlord? how do they pay their rent?
ReplyDeleteor do they walk the runway for Century 21 in those horrid gold coats?
In the olden days they were paid. But with everyone wanting to be famous and willing to give it away, it's hard to fight it. If all the girls agreed not to do it then it would stop. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteJax -- they are warehoused in group apartments with bunk beds, mostly on the upper East Side of Manhattan (Eileen Ford started this practice decades ago) and their rent comes out of the advances described above.
ReplyDeleteIf the girl is 17 or so there's not much authorities can do, but I could have sworn that NY State requires kids of 14 or so to have working papers, even if they are volunteers. Guess it's selectively enforced.
I don't know what independent contractor means but most of them are at an agency and that's who the money goes through. Although trading wares for work is common in fashion.
ReplyDeleteModels also are paid pittance for editorial work. The money comes from getting commercial work and contracts with the big houses.
Don't they know they're not getting paid before they accept the job? '
ReplyDeleteOh and HI Miriam!!!!!!
It's a horrible job and they make shit money, and everyone going into the business knows they will be making shit money. They have to "make a name" or marry a rock star or something. Mostly, they're in it to get free cocaine from Russian businessmen or earn the right to say "I was a model, like, totally." Cameron Diaz is one of my favorite ex-models, and she's pretty up-front about it being a way to fly to Paris, make a few thousand dollars over the course of four months, and party for free. I recommend not losing sleep over the hard life of the fashion model. They're not in it to win it, but to get high and have fun.
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