• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

As CEO of the $96 billion Sam’s Club, Latriece Watkins is testing her mettle at the warehouse retailer that produced CEOs for Walmart, Target, and Walgreens

2

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

3

The river that supplies 40 million Americans is down to 23% — and about to make a $25 million bet on one fish

1

As CEO of the $96 billion Sam’s Club, Latriece Watkins is testing her mettle at the warehouse retailer that produced CEOs for Walmart, Target, and Walgreens

2

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

3

The river that supplies 40 million Americans is down to 23% — and about to make a $25 million bet on one fish
RetailFashion

World’s Top Fashion Houses Clash Over Underage Model Ban

By
Laura Stampler/TIME
Laura Stampler/TIME
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Laura Stampler/TIME
Laura Stampler/TIME
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 17, 2019, 4:27 PM ET
Alexander McQueen : Runway - Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2019/2020
PARIS, FRANCE - MARCH 04: A model walks the runway during the Alexander McQueen show as part of the Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2019/2020 on March 4, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Yanshan Zhang/Getty Images)Yanshan Zhang Getty Images

The world’s leading luxury fashion houses are clashing over the ethics of using models under 18 years old in photo shoots and fashion shows.

Kering SA—the owner of Gucci, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, and Saint Laurent—has announced a pledge to stop hiring models under 18 to “represent adults” on the runway and in advertising campaigns starting fall 2020.

“As a global luxury group, we are conscious of the influence exerted on younger generations in particular by the images produced by our Houses,” Kering CEO François-Henri Pinault said in a statement sent to Fortune. “We believe that we have a responsibility to put forward the best possible practices in the luxury sector and we hope to create a movement that will encourage others to follow suit.”

Kering’s new minimum model age departs from a charter it signed with rival LVMH to use only models ages 16 and up to represent adults. It also requires casting agencies to provide female models who are over a U.S. size 4 and male models over a U.S. size 6.

LVMH is adamant in its response to Kering’s rethinking the minimum age for models. A spokesperson with LVMH—which owns Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Celine, and Givenchy— tells Fortune via email: The company “firmly disagrees” with Kering’s decision.

“What matters is not so much the age as the conditions under which models work, regardless of age,” the spokesperson said. “LVMH believes that one group banning models of that age will not stop them from working. As such, LVMH believes that it has a responsibility to continue working with 16-18-year-old models and to provide them with a protected environment.”

Models under 18 make up 15% to 20% of those used in LVMH-brand fashion shows.

“This charter has resulted in major progress for the well-being and health of models, particularly thanks to the greatly enhanced support for 16-18 year olds,” said the LVMH spokesperson.

“Importantly, there has been significant progress, especially for models in this age group. By going well beyond the legal requirements, the Charter has radically improved their working conditions (stricter and more respectful work hours, presence of a chaperone, improvements in housing conditions and transportation, etc.),” the spokesperson said. “The LVMH Group has invested in supporting these minors, including making dedicated psychologists available during their working time, and many experts recognize the benefits.”

In contrast, Kering’s Marie-Claire Daveu, chief sustainability officer and head of international institutional affairs, said: “In our view, the physiological and psychological maturity of models aged over 18 seems more appropriate to the rhythm and demands that are involved in this profession.”

Some industry advocacy groups don’t think Kering’s under-18 ban goes far enough.

The Model Alliance tweeted: the pledge “will amount to little more than lip service” if it doesn’t take more explicit action against the unhealthy pressure for models to maintain an unhealthy “adolescent physique.”

.@KeringGroup’s pledge to no longer hire models under 18-years-old is a positive step towards eliminating the intense pressure models currently face to maintain an adolescent physique and to go to extremes to lose weight. However (1/7)

— Model Alliance (@ModelAllianceNY) May 15, 2019

Without this, the Model Alliance fears @KeringGroup’s pledge will amount to little more than lip service to critical issues that have plagued the industry for far too long. (3/7)

— Model Alliance (@ModelAllianceNY) May 15, 2019

The organization also expressed its dismay the “limited pledge” didn’t touch on dangers models of all ages face “such as sexual harassment and assault, pressures to fit into tiny samples, late, and nonpayment, and the lack of an independent complaint mechanism to resolve complaints.”

For several years, conditions under which models work, as well as requirements for their profession, have been scrutinized. In 2015, France banned hiring ultra skinny models.

Kering’s pledge on Wednesday to hire models no younger than 18 follows its announcement earlier this week of new requirements mandating suppliers meet certain treatment standards for all animals used in products ranging from cashmere sweaters to suede shoes.

These changes come at a time when corporate social responsibility is garnering more consumer attention.

“Younger generations’ passion for social and environmental causes has reached critical mass, causing brands to become more fundamentally purpose driven to attract both consumers and talent,” McKinsey & Company wrote in a 2019 report on the state of the global fashion industry. “Consumers from some, but not all markets will reward players that take a strong stance on social and environmental issues beyond traditional CSR [Consumer Social Responsibility.]”

About the Author
By Laura Stampler/TIME
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Retail

Tomatoes become the latest symbol of the affordability crisis as prices rose over 40% from last year
EconomyGrocery
Tomatoes become the latest symbol of the affordability crisis as prices rose over 40% from last year
By The Associated Press, Catherina Gioino and Matt SedenskyMay 29, 2026
5 hours ago
A barista wearing a green apron stands behind the bar and pours a drink into a cup
RetailStarbucks
Starbucks quietly retired its AI agent just months after deployment after it miscounted coffee shop inventories and slowed down baristas
By Sasha RogelbergMay 28, 2026
22 hours ago
lee
Commentarystock exchanges
Texas Stock Exchange CEO: exchanges can build on Exxon’s retail model to rein in proxy advisors
By James H. LeeMay 28, 2026
1 day ago
Independent book stores are growing as people look for community in local spaces
Retailbooks
Independent book stores are growing as people look for community in local spaces
By The Associated Press and Hillel ItalieMay 28, 2026
1 day ago
Robinhood launches agentic trading, announces credit card for AI agents with 3% cash back
BankingRobinhood
Robinhood launches agentic trading, announces credit card for AI agents with 3% cash back
By Jeff John RobertsMay 27, 2026
2 days ago
As CEO of the $96 billion Sam’s Club, Latriece Watkins is testing her mettle at the warehouse retailer that produced CEOs for Walmart, Target, and Walgreens
MagazineSam's Club
As CEO of the $96 billion Sam’s Club, Latriece Watkins is testing her mettle at the warehouse retailer that produced CEOs for Walmart, Target, and Walgreens
By Emma HinchliffeMay 27, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

As CEO of the $96 billion Sam’s Club, Latriece Watkins is testing her mettle at the warehouse retailer that produced CEOs for Walmart, Target, and Walgreens
Magazine
As CEO of the $96 billion Sam’s Club, Latriece Watkins is testing her mettle at the warehouse retailer that produced CEOs for Walmart, Target, and Walgreens
By Emma HinchliffeMay 27, 2026
2 days ago
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
Success
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
By Preston ForeMay 21, 2026
8 days ago
The river that supplies 40 million Americans is down to 23% — and about to make a $25 million bet on one fish
Environment
The river that supplies 40 million Americans is down to 23% — and about to make a $25 million bet on one fish
By Dorany Pineda, Brittany Peterson and The Associated PressMay 27, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of May 28, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of May 28, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerMay 28, 2026
1 day ago
Jamie Dimon said the American Dream was slipping away. JPMorgan just put $40 million on the table to fix it
Banking
Jamie Dimon said the American Dream was slipping away. JPMorgan just put $40 million on the table to fix it
By Nick LichtenbergMay 27, 2026
2 days ago
As AI slashes white-collar jobs, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff says almost no one is being hired—except in sales
Success
As AI slashes white-collar jobs, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff says almost no one is being hired—except in sales
By Emma BurleighMay 28, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.