Adwoa Aboah for Time Magazine by Agnes Lloyd-Platt
Model Alliance puts forward RESPECT Program to curb model abuse
Addressed to members of the fashion industry, Model Alliance, founded by model and labor activist Sara Ziff, announced through social media channels a proposed industry-wide blueprint called the RESPECT Program. The call to action which takes aim at model mistreatment is a motion to enforce standards in order to protect models. On her Instagram, Ziff wrote, “We are calling on brands, agencies and media companies to sign a legally binding agreement to foster an industry defined by safe workplaces and mutual respect.” The open letter has signatures from 100 models, including names like Karen Elson and Teddy Quinlivan, that are supporting the program in solidarity. RESPECT proposes a 5 part blueprint for change: Create a Workplace Code of Dignity and Respect, Educate models and all stakeholders on their rights and responsibilities under the Program, Protect transparency and models’ right to speak up, Go beyond voluntary company policies to enforceable commitments, Address economic vulnerability. On the program’s website, Karen Elson is quoted saying, “…it offers an unbiased set of tools that will help set new standards such that those in the fashion business can enjoy creative freedom and personal safety without sacrificing integrity.” Quinlivan, who has been vocal about addressing sexual harassment in the industry, is also quoted, “…solutions to these problems have been introduced by companies and organizations without including models themselves in the dialogue.” [RESPECT]
Grace Coddington to host TV show ‘Face to Grace’
Top stylist and the runaway star of Vogue Magazine doc “The September Issue” Grace Coddington is set to get back in front of the camera for her new interview series, “Face to Grace.” The six-episode ark will premiere on streaming network Made to Measure or M2M, the online archive that boasts over 200 hours of runway show footage, documentaries and classic films. The stylist has been amping up her personal projects since she stepped down from her creative director role at American Vogue after 25 years, with a newly minted role as creative partner for legendary American jeweler, Tiffany & Co. [BOF]
Photo London is on until the 20th and here’s what you need to know
London: The fourth international photography fair Photo London kicked off on Thursday and runs until the 20th of May at the Somerset House. The program features a selection of artists from 108 of the world’s leading and emerging galleries. The exhibition includes works by photographers like Guy Bourdin, Roger Ballen, Huang Xiaoliang, Vasantha Yogananthan, Nadine Ijewere, Martin Kollar, Maisie Cousins, Senta Simond and many more. Awards include Photo London Master of Photography, Photo London Artproof Award and the Magnum Photos Graduate Photographers Award. [Photo London]
Adwoa Aboah lands the cover of Time
Time Magazine, in partnership with Rolex, rolled out their next installment of the biannual Next Generation Leaders series and model Adwoa Aboah has landed a cover and spot on the coveted list. With her freckles and shorn hair, Aboah has defied status quo standards landing a multitude of covers and top ad spots this past year, after overcoming depression and a near suicide in 2015. The Time list aims to celebrate influential people who are blazing new trails in politics, entertainment, fashion, science, sports and more. [TIME]
A demonstration-filled Cannes Film Festival wraps up
Tomorrow the Cannes Film Festival wraps up and the star-studded, French Riviera attraction was host to multiple red carpet protest and headline making moments. Led by Cate Blanchett and Agnes Varda, 82 women that included jury members like Marion Cotillard, Khadja Nin and Kristan Stewart protested the historical lack of the female directors at the 71-year-old festival–82 representative of the number of female directed films over that span. Stars also held a demonstration in solidarity condemning the Israeli army killing sixty Palestinians on the Gaza border by gunfire. Amongst them Benicio Del Toro and Manal Issa who held a sign that read “Stop the attack on Gaza”. On Wednesday, 16 Balmain-wearing black and mixed-race female actors walked the red carpet together making a statement against racism in the film industry. Those women also published a book called “Being Black is Not My Job” earlier in the month. By far the most talked about premieres were Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman” and Lars Von Trier’s “The House That Jack Built”. One based on the true story of Ron Stallworth, a black cop who infiltrated the KKK in the 70s and the other a murderous marathon so brutal it prompted some to walk out. Both were met by standing ovations.
