The Guardian Article on Abuse in the Modeling Industry

[Faust]

This is truly disheartening:

"You get paid to look good, now shut up.
This is the kind of remark I often hear about my efforts to establish fair labor standards for models working in the American fashion industry. Modeling is a seemingly glamorous profession, and models are certainly not the people you picture when you think of bad working conditions. But wipe off the sheen and another reality emerges.
At 29, I have worked as a model for over half my life, and I'm the first to admit that I've been lucky in my career. I have worked with some of fashion's most talented, creative people as the face of some of the industry's most recognized brands. I enjoy modeling, a job that not only paid my bills, but also allowed me to put myself through school. I have no reason to speak negatively about an industry that has given me so much. And, yet, I can no longer stay silent about rampant abuses that I have experienced firsthand."

More here

[Dane]

I remember seeing previews for her documentary...did anyone actually see it?

I don't really understand the model's comment about using her ambiguous ethnic heritage as a selling point...I personally don't see how this differs from using any other aspect of your appearance to get work as a model.

[michael_kard]

So you're saying that a business that exists only to exploit women's insecurities doesn't the women it employs terribly well? Well blow me down with a feather.

If you don't want to be exploited then learn a trade rather than expecting to live on your looks.

Beggars belief doesn't it?

Theyll be telling us models don't starve themselves to keep their weight down next.

........

[Rosenrot]

I remember seeing previews for her documentary...did anyone actually see it?

I saw it. Could have been better, but it was a good conversation starter. Oh and my favourite part was when the camera zoomed briefly on Terry Richardson sat on the front row while on the topic of sexual assault, without making any other reference to him whatsoever.

[Ahimsa]

^I've seen it as well. What I took note of was how many of them just skip out on college because they're making so much anyway. It seems like a clever scheme to keep attractive women uneducated and perpetuating the current system. Though it is obviously their own choice, the opportunity is most like to pass by forcing them to take a very big risk, hence entering the scenario mentioned by merz.

[gawkrodger]

thought this was the most relevant thread to post this in

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/17/terry-richardson-new-york-magazine-model