{"id":4593,"date":"2026-01-18T20:47:16","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T20:47:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gvthelensman.com\/?p=4593"},"modified":"2026-01-18T21:06:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T21:06:52","slug":"why-india-desperately-needs-a-fashion-workers-act-protecting-models-and-creatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gvthelensman.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/18\/why-india-desperately-needs-a-fashion-workers-act-protecting-models-and-creatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Why India Desperately Needs a Fashion Workers Act: Protecting Models and Creatives"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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By Gaurav Vashisth (GV The Lensman)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


In June 2023, a young female model died in Noida when the stage collapsed during a fashion show.
She was just doing her job\u2014walking the ramp, bringing a designer’s vision to life. But unsafe
working conditions took her life.
This isn’t an isolated incident. It’s a symptom of a much larger problem: India’s fashion industry
has zero legal protections for the people who make it shine.
Let me tell you why this matters, and why we need a Fashion Workers Act in India\u2014now.
The Glamour They See vs. The Reality We Live
From the outside, fashion looks like red carpets, designer outfits, and Instagram fame. But talk to
any working model, photographer, stylist, or makeup artist, and you’ll hear a different story:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Late or no payments for completed work<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Vague contracts that mean nothing when disputes arise<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Exploitation by agencies charging hidden fees<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Unsafe working conditions with 12-16 hour shoots and zero breaks<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Sexual harassment with no proper channels to report it<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Wage theft where models are shown fake receipts and paid less than what clients actually
    paid<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • No minimum wage, no fixed hours, no job security
    And here’s the kicker: there’s no law specifically protecting fashion workers in India.
    What My Book Revealed
    When I published “The Model Mentor: An Insider’s Guide to Becoming a Fashion Model” in
    May 2023, I dedicated two entire chapters to the legal and psychological challenges models face.
    Fashion lawyers and psychologists contributed their expertise, and what emerged was disturbing:
    The Indian labour laws simply don’t address the unique needs of fashion workers.
    Models aren’t considered employees. They’re freelancers or independent contractors, which means
    they fall through every legal crack. The Industrial Disputes Act? Doesn’t cover them. Payment of
    Wages Act? Difficult to enforce. Sexual Harassment Act? Only applies to traditional workplaces.
    We’ve created an entire industry with no safety net.
    The Dark Side Nobody Talks About
    Let me share some recent headlines that should shock you:
    June 2023: Model dies after stage collapse during fashion show in Noida
    2023: Parents duped of crores by gang offering fake modelling opportunities for kids<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    2018: Male models speak out about rampant sexual exploitation in the industry
    2024: Fashion designer loses \u20b911 lakh to online job fraud
    These aren’t tabloid sensations. These are real people whose lives were damaged or destroyed
    because there’s no regulatory framework, no accountability, no legal recourse.
    How the Rest of the World Does It
    While India struggles, other fashion capitals have been taking action.
    New York’s Fashion Workers Act (December 2024)
    This groundbreaking legislation, which took effect in June 2025, finally gives models and creatives
    basic labour protections. Here’s what it guarantees:
    \u2705 Employment status \u2013 Models are recognised as workers with rights
    \u2705 Standardised contracts \u2013 Clear terms on payment, duration, image usage
    \u2705 Timely payment \u2013 No more waiting months for your pay check
    \u2705 Protection from wage theft \u2013 Agencies can’t show fake receipts
    \u2705 Workplace safety \u2013 Reasonable hours, safe environments
    \u2705 Anti-discrimination protection \u2013 No bias based on race, gender, body size, orientation
    \u2705 Transparent agency fees \u2013 No hidden charges
    \u2705 Control over images \u2013 Models own their likeness and must consent to its use
    \u2705 Legal recourse \u2013 Proper channels to fight exploitation
    This didn’t happen by accident. Organisations like the Model Alliance (founded in 2012 by Sara
    Ziff) lobbied for years to make this happen.
    France: Leading Europe
    France passed the “Loi sur les Mod\u00e8les” (Models Law), which requires:<\/p>\n\n\n\n