Artificial Intelligence
When your body is your business, unauthorized use or manipulation of your image is a violation of your rights. We believe fashion workers need to be at the forefront of shaping how AI is used.
Research
In 2023, the Model Alliance polled more than 100 fashion workers and found that the vast majority (87%) were concerned about potential negative impacts of AI on the industry. We then partnered with Data & Society and the Worker Institute at Cornell University on a research study to better understand the impacts of AI on fashion workers, particularly workers of color, and how future use of the technology should best be negotiated.
Legislative Advocacy
The Model Alliance established labor rights and protections for models under the New York State Fashion Workers Act, setting an important precedent as one of the first laws in the nation to regulate the use of AI in the world of work. Specifically, the law requires that modeling agencies and brands obtain a model’s clear, written consent for the creation or use of their digital replica — detailing the scope, purpose, rate of pay, and duration of use. It also prohibits modeling agencies from holding power of attorney over models’ digital replicas, giving them greater control over how their images are used.
Awareness-Raising
The Model Alliance elevates the voices of fashion workers who have been directly impacted by the misuse of AI by providing opportunities for individuals to share their stories and raise awareness for the need for reform.
NYFW Event on AI, Fashion, and Creative Labor
On Tuesday, September 9, 2025, the Model Alliance was thrilled to host fashion workers from across the industry at JACK Studios in NYC for a discussion on AI, fashion, and creative labor. The goal of our event was simple: give fashion workers an opportunity to share their perspectives on AI, and provide a platform for the researchers, policymakers, and organizers who are wrestling with solutions.
I’m proud of the thoughtful and nuanced conversation that took place, and am grateful to everyone who joined us. Your stories, perspectives, and ideas were powerful, and I left the event feeling inspired and optimistic about our collective power to shape change.
I’d like to give a special thank you to our partner Omidyar Network for making this event possible, and to Tchesmeni Leonard, Global Fashion Director at Teen Vogue, Glamour and SELF, for moderating our discussion. We couldn’t have done this without you.
Highlights of our event included:
Nick Knight and Tom Wandrag on the Creative Potential of AI
We were proud to welcome Nick Knight, esteemed image-maker and Director of SHOWstudio, and his long-time collaborator and creative technologist Tom Wandrag for a conversation on ways to harness the benefits of AI technology. Tom and Nick shared the thoughtful ways in which they are experimenting with AI, the ethical guardrails they’ve established for themselves, and their interest in AI’s ability to enhance human creativity in fashion while protecting models’ rights.
Key Research Findings from Data & Society and the Worker Institute at Cornell
Model Alliance has been collaborating with Data & Society and the Worker Institute at Cornell University to better understand the impact of AI on fashion workers, particularly workers of color. We were excited to host researchers Sanjay Pinto, Zoë West and Alexandra Mateescu yesterday to share the key findings of their research – including how AI is being used to exploit models’ labor by taking advantage of existing power inequities and gray areas within the fashion industry.
Fashion Workers on the Impact of AI
We know that AI is here and already impacting fashion workers. We’re so grateful to models Nassia Matsa, Casey McSherry, and Shereen Wu, and makeup artist Mary Irwin, for taking the time to share their stories on the ways AI is disproportionately impacting young and unrepresented talent, the potential for AI job displacement, and the lasting impact of AI image abuse. Your bravery, vulnerability, and optimism were inspiring – and we deeply appreciated your creative ideas for protecting workers amidst growing AI adoption.
Policymakers and Organizers on Potential Solutions
We closed the event with State Senator Brad Holyman-Sigal, SAG-AFTRA’s Rebecca Damon, the Freelancers Union’s Rafael Espinal, all of whom are on the front lines of crafting policy to protect workers’ rights in the age of AI. Sen. Holyman-Sigal outlined the key AI provisions of the Fashion Workers Act, while Rebecca and Rafael talked about their key legislative priorities in Albany and their progress in building collective power among AI-impacted workers.
We look forward to sharing video highlights from our event. In the meantime, stay tuned for more to come this Fashion Week.
With gratitude,
Sara Ziff
Executive Director
Model Alliance
