Kering announced on 8 October that it is strengthening the Charter on the Working Relations and Well Being of Models together with LVMH. The revised provisions will take effect from the next Paris Fashion Week in 2027. The clearest change is that nobody under eighteen may work in a campaign or show that requires an adult role or adult representation.
Consent becomes a procedure
For work involving nudity, the revised rules require prior formal agreement. A model must be given a dedicated changing or preparation space and must not be left alone with a member of the production team. This turns a broad promise of respect into a process that can be checked: when an image is made, under what conditions, and with what consent.
Kering says anonymous and protected reporting channels will be introduced. Unannounced audits may also assess whether castings, fittings, shows and shoots comply with the charter. The group promises zero tolerance for harassment and discrimination, while the text places greater emphasis on inclusion and equal treatment.
Why this matters beyond the runway
Model work creates an unusual power imbalance. Jobs are short, workers travel between countries, decisions are made quickly and production hierarchies are often opaque. In that environment, a voluntary commitment only carries weight when it is linked to a named process, responsible people and consequences. Anonymous reporting and surprise audits therefore matter more than a general declaration.
People independently reported the new age threshold, the requirement for advance consent where nudity is involved, and the audit mechanism on 8 October. Joint action by two major luxury groups carries more influence than one house rule because it can affect agencies, casting directors, photographers and production companies across the supply chain.
The real change is not the promise but the verifiable working process.
What it means for Hungarian talent
Many Hungarian models work through international agencies and on productions outside Hungary, so rules introduced in Paris can affect their day to day conditions. Agencies should clarify age requirements, image use, changing arrangements and complaint routes before a contract is signed. Families of young models should ask for every consent in writing, especially when styling or the visual concept may create a sensitive situation.
The charter is self regulation and does not replace labour law or child protection legislation. It can still set a benchmark. Once two influential luxury groups define a minimum standard, other participants have less room to claim that safe castings or protected reporting are too complicated. The real test comes in 2027, when audits, responses to complaints and production practice will show whether the stronger language changes behaviour.
