Weekly Spotlight: NY Passes Fashion Workers Act, CFDA/Vogue Finalists, Pharrell Skincare Launch
1. New York State Assembly Passes Landmark Fashion Workers Act to Protect Models
New York’s State Assembly has passed the groundbreaking Fashion Workers Act, a significant step toward enhancing the rights and protections for fashion models. This bill, which now awaits Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature to become law, aims to address the exploitation prevalent in the industry by imposing stricter regulations on management agencies. Key provisions include prohibiting companies from levying exorbitant and opaque fees for accommodation and other expenses that often lead to models accruing debt. Additionally, the Act sets caps on management fees and introduces frameworks to regulate digital image rights, an increasingly critical issue with the rise of artificial intelligence. Sara Ziff, executive director of the Model Alliance and a prominent advocate for the Act, heralded the legislation as a major victory for a workforce predominantly composed of young women and girls. She emphasized that New York, a global fashion hub, has made it clear that the current state of affairs is unacceptable, marking a significant shift towards fairness and equity in the fashion industry.
2. CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Announces 2024 Finalists
The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and Vogue have unveiled the finalists for the 2024 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, marking the 20th anniversary of this prestigious competition. The ten finalists, announced by last year’s winner Melitta Baumeister along with Rachel Scott of Diotima and Henry Zankov of Zankov, include Taylor Thompson (5000), Connor McKnight (Connor McKnight), Grace Ling (Grace Ling), Kate Barton (Kate Barton), Dynasty and Soull Ogun (L’enchanteur), Spencer Phipps (Phipps), Presley Oldham (Presley Oldham), Sebastien and Marianne Amisial (Sebastien Ami), Jane Wade (Jane Wade), and Jackson Wiederhoeft (Wiederhoeft). The winner will be awarded $300,000, while two runners-up will receive $100,000 each. Anna Wintour, chief content officer at Condé Nast and global editorial director of Vogue, expressed enthusiasm about this year’s finalists, highlighting their creativity and ambition. The jury, comprising industry luminaries like Wintour, Aurora James, Eva Chen, and Thom Browne, will select the winner, who will also have the opportunity to feature their collection in Nordstrom stores through the Nordstrom Secure the Space challenge. The final announcement will take place at a gala dinner in mid-October.
3. Pharrell’s Humanrace and Dover Street Parfums Market Launch Limited Edition Skincare Collaboration
Pharrell Williams’ Humanrace has teamed up with Dover Street Parfums Market for a limited-edition skincare collaboration, launching just in time for Paris Men’s Fashion Week. This partnership continues their ongoing relationship, which began with Humanrace’s skincare collection being stocked at Dover Street Market in 2021 and a permanent installment at the Dover Street Parfum Market in Paris earlier this year. The new collaboration features a special Skincare Routine Pack housed in black cases made from post-consumer recycled plastic, a departure from Humanrace’s signature green packaging. The pack includes the Rice Powder Cleanser, Lotus Enzyme Exfoliator, and Humidifying Face Cream. Pharrell expressed gratitude to Dover Street Market for their continued partnership, celebrating the collaboration’s launch on June 19, a day after the Spring/Summer 2025 Louis Vuitton fashion show in Paris. The limited-edition pack will be available at Dover Street Market and Humanrace starting on the launch date.
