Condé Nast International Announces Code Of Conduct To Protect Models Against Harassment
Photography with permission of: Eva Al Desnudo @ Fashion, Law & Business
Condé Nast International the publishers of British Vogue, GQ, Glamour, Vanity Fair (among other titles) has announced a new Code of Conduct “to safeguard the dignity and well-being of all who work with its brands” to be actioned with immediate effect.
The Code of Conduct builds upon an existing 2012 Model Health Initiative and provides practical protections for models and guidelines for photo shoots, and comes after several sexual-misconduct allegations raised against industry insiders - including Condé collaborators Mario Testino and Bruce Weber.
According to a statement from British Vogue, Condé Nast has been working on the requirements of the Code of Conduct since October 2017- when news of Harvey Weinstein broke concerning accusations of sexual misconduct. Since then the publishing house has consulted over 150 industry professionals to create a guideline for the protection of models.
Notably, as per British Vogue - Condé Nast International included two guidelines for the relationship between a photographer and a model and includes a clause that states:
We recommend that a model should not be alone with a photographer, makeup artist or other contributor participating in a Condé Nast shoot.
Throughout the shoot, including any related travel, photographers and videographers may not shoot anyone engaged by or through Condé Nast other than as requested by Condé Nast.
Condé Nast International has pledged to “terminate its working relationship” with individuals whose actions violate the code. “We are committed to collaborating to find solutions to the problem of sexual harassment in our industry,” the chairman and chief executive of Condé Nast International Jonathan Newhouse commented in a statement to Vogue.com. “By adopting these recommendations all those involved in the creative process will be doing their part to ensure a safe and respectful work environment.”
The recent action follows a model charter created and signed in September 2017, even before the Weinstein exposé, as industry leaders the two luxury fashion groups: LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton and Kering (owners of notable fashion brands including Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Dior, Fendi & Alexander McQueen) joined forces on the issue to create a charter for models intended to guarantee better working conditions and well-being, in light of condemnation over the treatment of models in the fashion world. The charter, said to be implemented over upcoming Fashion Weeks - details rules about the employment of models, including those regarding nudity, health, age, consent and recourse.
Others are also adopting their own measures to protect models include IMG Models, home to Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss, whom have also recently updated its existing “Model Protection” instructions and the action coincides with legislative bills being introduced in New York and California that aim to address ways to protect models from sexual harassment.
The recently updated Condé Nast Code of Conduct will be rolled out to all partners “companies and vendors working with Condé Nast” and stipulate that:
- All models on set must be 18 years old. Where exceptions need to be made - such as when children are essential a story - they must be accompanied by an agency-provided chaperone.
- Any shoot requiring nudity, sheer clothing, lingerie, swimwear, animals, simulated drug or alcohol use or sexually suggestive poses must be signed off in advance by the subject. No shoot participant may be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
- A private dressing space must be provided to every subject on set. At all other times, subjects should not be left alone with a photographer, makeup artist or any other participant any time during a shoot.
In conjunction with the new guidelines, a committee of senior Condé Nast executives has been established to review any complaints brought forward. Should the committee discover any violations to the Code did occur, the company pledges to immediately terminate its working relationship with the individual in violation, and ensure that all other necessary steps will be taken.
The code of conduct is an advancement for models and the full Code of Conduct can be read below.
Condé Nast Code of Conduct: No Harassment or Discrimination
Everyone working on projects for Condé Nast should be treated with dignity and respect. All work done for Condé Nast must be performed in a professional manner, free of any form of discrimination or harassment. Any inappropriate conduct toward others, including but not limited to that based on an individual’s sex, race, color, weight, body shape, size, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or domestic-partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, will not be tolerated.
We expect that all companies and vendors working with Condé Nast have clearly communicated equal employment opportunity and anti-harassment policies. Condé Nast may request a copy of these policies.
Shoot Guidelines
Photo and video shoots must be professional environments. Any disrespectful or inappropriate conduct toward others, including but not limited to that based on an individual’s sex, race, colour, weight, body shape, size, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or domestic-partnership status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, will not be tolerated.
Every shoot performed for Condé Nast must adhere to the following guidelines:
All models must be at least 18 years old. Exceptions will be made for subjects appearing as themselves as part of a profile or news report. In the event a shoot calls for subjects younger than 18, a chaperone must be provided by the agency, and the agency must ensure compliance with any applicable labour laws, including child labour laws.
All work performed during a photo or video shoot must be in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including but not limited to labour, wage and hour, and immigration laws.
Photo shoot participants may not be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs (including unauthorised prescription drugs), and the consumption or use of alcohol and illegal drugs (including the misuse of prescription drugs) on the premises of a shoot is strictly prohibited
A brief describing any nudity, sheer clothing, lingerie, swimwear, animals, simulated drug or alcohol use or sexually suggestive poses planned to be incorporated in a shoot will be distributed to all concerned parties and must be agreed to in advance by the subject of the images. All attendees at the shoot will be notified of any planned nudity
A private dressing space must be available to everyone appearing in a shoot.
If sheer clothing is to be included, appropriate undergarments must be provided unless otherwise agreed to in advance by the subject of the images.
Any concerns a subject has regarding the amount of skin exposure of wardrobe must be considered, and no subject should be pressured to expose themselves more than they feel comfortable.
While Condé Nast maintains control over creative and aesthetic decisions, any concerns of a subject’s agent or other representative should be given respectful consideration.
We recommend that a model should not be alone with a photographer, makeup artist or other contributor participating in a Condé Nast shoot.
Throughout the shoot, including any related travel, photographers and videographers may not shoot anyone engaged by or through Condé Nast other than as requested by Condé Nast.
All participants in a photo or video shoot must act professionally and refrain from harassment of any kind. Unacceptable conduct includes but is not limited to the following:
Sexual advances or propositions.
Any type of sexual activity or contact.
Any suggestion, direct or implied, that submission to or rejection of sexual advances will affect an individual’s ability to perform services for the shoot or any other Condé Nast project.
Display of pornographic or obscene material.
Offensive comments regarding a person’s sex, race, color, weight, body shape, size, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression, including epithets and slurs.
Physical threats or assaults.
Anyone who has concerns about conduct occurring on a photo shoot may contact the Condé Nast contact listed on the call sheet for the shoot that has been provided and/or posted on-set.
Read full code of conduct here