Major designers group calls for 'zero tolerance' of sexual harassment ahead of New York Fashion Week

NYFW will be a safe environment for models

With hundreds of models soon arriving in New York City to take part in New York Fashion Week, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) has released a statement condemning sexual harassment in the industry.

In light of multiple sexual harassment allegations, the statement details the importance of prioritising a safe work environment, free from sexual harassment, for the models and in the fashion industry as a whole.

According to WWD, designer and council chairwoman, Diane Von Furstenburg emailed members of the council ahead of the shows to discuss safety factors such as private changing areas and to remind recipients of the email that sexual assault, or “any involuntary sexual act in which a person is threatened, coerced, or forced to engage against their will” is a crime.

In the email she wrote: “The current climate has been marked by brave women and men and their revelations about an unacceptable culture in politics, sports, and entertainment, as well as in fashion.”

And “The CFDA firmly believes that everyone in our industry deserves the right to feel safe and respected.”

The CFDA recently expanded on their commitment to a safe work environment with other initiatives, including renaming its health initiative to the Initiative for Health Safety and Diversity - and partnering with Model Alliance founder Sara Ziff, according to WWD.

Designer Diane Von Furstenberg emphasised the importance of safety

The commitment towards changing the industry and stomping out any sexual harassment comes after multiple models stepped forward with allegations of sexual harassment, including over 80 allegations shared anonymously by model Cameron Russell on her Instagram page last year, alongside the hashtag #MyJobShouldNotIncludeAbuse.

The CFDA email concluded by reiterating the zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment in the industry, and encouraged anyone who sees harassment or is a victim of harassment during Fashion Week to report it to the police as well as to Model Alliance.

Earlier this week, Condé Nast International released its own Code of Conduct for the protection of models against sexual harassment, including a set of guidelines put in place to ensure safe work environments.

Per the guidelines, models must agree upon sheer clothing or nudity, and private dressing spaces should be provided for all models.

As the industry grapples with allegations of years of sexual harassment, the fashion world is doing everything it can to ensure models are protected.