The publisher of British Vogue has released a new code of conduct following a wave of sexual harassment allegations in Hollywood and the fashion industry.
Condé Nast International, which publishes GQ, Glamour and Vanity Fair, among other titles, announced it will no longer use models under 18 and will not allow photographers and models to be left alone together at any time during a shoot.
Models will also have to sign off in advance of any shoot involving nudity, sheer clothing or lingerie. Alcohol will also no longer be permitted on set.
Condé Nast International, which publishes GQ, Glamour and Vanity Fair, announced a new code of conduct in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against a number of high-profile figures in the fashion industry including Mario Testino, pictured with Naomi Campbell in 2015
Models will also have to pre-agree to any shoots involving nudity, sheer clothing or lingerie, and alcohol will no longer be permitted on set. Pictured, the latest issue of British Vogue
The guidelines, announced in a post on Vogue.co.uk today, come after a string of allegations were made against well-known figures in the fashion industry including photographers Bruce Weber and Mario Testino, who regularly contributed to Condé Nast titles.
In an expose published by The New York Times earlier this month, 15 current and former male models accused Weber of often ‘unnecessary nudity and coercive sexual behavior’, during photo shoots.
And in the case of Testino – who has often photographed for Vogue and the British royal family – 13 male assistants and models said he ‘subjected them to sexual advances that in some cases included groping and masturbation’.
Both of the photographers had vehemently denied the allegations against them.
In the wake of the report Anna Wintour, artistic director of Conde Nast, announced the group would no longer work with either photographer.
In a New York Times expose, 15 current and former male models accused Bruce Weber, pictured with actress Jessica Lange, of ‘unnecessary nudity and coercive sexual behavior’
In the wake of the allegations against Testino and Weber Anna Wintour, artistic director of Conde Nast, announced the group would no longer work with either photographer. Pictured, Mario Testino, Anna Wintour and director Baz Luhrmann at a Karl Lagerfeld show in 2015
The publisher also recently distanced itself from Terry Richardson in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, despite the claims about the photographer mistreating models having been aired years previously. Richardson denies the allegations.
The new code of conduct could affect an array of budding teenage models, among them Kaia Gerber.
The 16-year-old daughter of supermodel Cindy Crawford, posed with her mother in Vogue’s April 2016 edition aged just 14, and more recently posed for Vogue Paris.
Additionally Lily Rose Depp, 18-year-old daughter of Johnny Depp, posed for the December 2016 cover of Vogue aged 17.
Condé Nast US and Condé Nast International began work on the code in October following a New York Times report which outlined decades of sexual harassment allegations made against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein that sparked a wave of subsequent claims against other high-profile figures in the entertainment industry.
People don’t understand what it means to be young, on a payroll, given the opportunity to pursue your dreams and being told that this is what working in fashion is like
In developing the guidelines, Condé Nast spoke to more than 150 people in the publishing industry, including bookers, publicists, agents, models, stylist and editors.
The code has already been hailed by model Edie Campbell, who has been outspoken about the need for change within the fashion industry.
Speaking at an event at London’s Dover Street Market on Monday, she said there was a need to create a more ‘comfortable’ atmosphere on set. Campbell, 27, who has appeared on the cover of British Vogue, said the often young age of models made them vulnerable of unwanted advances.
‘Every 17-year-old wants to please and act mature and grown-up,’ she said, according to a WWD report. ‘Maybe you’re 17, English isn’t your first language and you are the main breadwinner in your family. People don’t understand what it means to be young, on a payroll, given the opportunity to pursue your dreams and being told that this is what working in fashion is like.’
Kaia Gerber posed with her supermodel mother Cindy Crawford on Vogue’s April 2016 edition aged just 14, and more recently posed for Vogue Paris
Lily Rose Depp, 18-year-old daughter of Johnny Depp, posed for the December 2016 cover of Vogue aged 17
Model Edie Campbell is among those who have praised the new code as a positive step
She added that fashion places certain creatives on pedestals and are protected by those around them. ‘You feel the need to protect these people because you are part of the Testino clan, or whichever other clan there is,’ Campbell said.
Jonathan Newhouse, the London-based chairman and chief executive of Condé Nast International, said on the code: ‘We are committed to collaborating to find solutions to the problem of sexual harassment in our industry.
‘By adopting these recommendations all those involved in the creative process will be doing their part to ensure a safe and respectful work environment.’