In a powerful and honest article for xoJane.com, Canadian model Ainsley McWha describes her time modelling and the workplaces hazards she observed.
Here are our highlights:
In all the literature I read, however, nowhere was it stated that [the pending French legislation] was being put in place to protect the models themselves (though maybe that is implicit). Instead, this law was meant to protect the general public, by preventing the “spread” of anorexia as though it were a communicable disease.
Yes, eating disorders are a serious, sometimes lethal issue. But what this highlighted for me was the absolute lack of consideration for models, often young girls who are too young to look out for themselves, too young to know better.
How is it possible that this very visible industry exists—and thrives—with no rules or regulations to either dictate the behavior of those who work within it or to protect those involved?
No wage regulations, no transparent accounting practices, no insurance or benefits of any kind, no job security, no on-the-job-conduct policy—meaning: behavior that in any other workplace would be deemed inappropriate or worse, harassment, in the modeling world becomes normalized, acceptable behavior.
Without any imposed guidelines, from a young age I grew accustomed to being touched, groped, and stared at. To having inappropriate comments made about my body and my appearance.
To having people “accidentally” walk in on me while I was changing, or, having to change out in the open, in front of everyone. To waiting up to 12 months after a job to get paid, to having to fight to get my rightfully earned paycheck, the money either missing or, I imagine, sitting in the agency’s bank account accruing interest. This was all just part of the job. Over time, you get used to it.
Six years later at 37, I still have agencies in Seattle and Paris. In April 2014, needing to make a change, I moved to southeast Idaho where I write for a local magazine and work as a community-based counselor. Because I’m no longer readily available, my New York agency recently dropped me. Over voicemail. After almost 20 years in the business, I did not receive a severance package.
