Danish Fashion Ethical Charter

The Danish Fashion Ethical Charter was founded in 2007 by Danish Fashion Institute (former owner of Copenhagen Fashion Week) in collaboration with the Danish Association against Eating Disorders and Self-harm. Previously, the purpose of the charter was exclusively to ensure the well-being of Danish models and to contribute to the creation of valuable information about eating disorders and the body ideals the fashion industry helps generate.

Initially, the charter represented a plea to the industry, but various high-profile cases led to its expansion in 2013 to include specific rules related to age, a healthy diet and wages. In 2015 the charter entered into a new phase when the Danish fashion industry was given the opportunity to actively sign and apply the charter. A steering committee for the Danish Fashion Ethical Charter was also established to continue the work initiated just over 10 years ago. In 2017 the committee launched the world’s first health check for models and in 2018 two new values were added to the charter. Moreover, the charter now encompasses the entire Danish fashion industry, though the rules continue to primarily focus on Danish models.

The Danish Fashion Ethical Charter steering committee is led by Copenhagen Fashion Week.

Danish Fashion Ethical Charter focuses on five core values involving accountability, compassionate respect and health:

1. We respect and protect industry employees (including models) and the colleagues we work with. We wish to ensure their health and safety, and we appreciate diversity.
2. We are aware of and take responsibility for the impact the fashion industry has on body ideals, especially on young people.
3. We wish to promote and work towards healthy lifestyles as well as a healthy body ideal that reflects a healthy relationship to food, body and exercise.
4. We wish to promote and work towards greater diversity in the fashion industry regarding ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, size, socio-economic status, etc.
5. We exhibit respectful behavior on photoshoots and at shows, including speaking nicely to one another and respecting one another’s (including models’) personal physical and mental boundaries.

The steering committee of the Danish Fashion Ethical Charter consists of permanent representatives from the following:

• Representative from Copenhagen Fashion Week: CEO, Cecilie Thorsmark
• Representative from Copenhagen Fashion Week: Director of Production & Culture, Stefanie Forsgren
• Representative from Danish Fashion & Textile: Creative Director, As Øland
• Representative from The Danish National Association against Eating Disorders and Self-harm: Manager of Counselling and Therapy, Cathrine de Thurah Wulff
• Representative from relevant organisation: The Soulfuls, Aram Ostadian-Binai
• Representative from one of the country’s eight largest model agencies: CEO, Jacqueline Svane, Unique Models
• Representative from a Danish fashion company: Designer, Helle Hestehave, Baum und Pferdgarten

In addition, the steering group consists of the following interim representatives, who are appointed on a rotational basis:

• Representative from one of the country’s largest influencer agencies: Partner & CEO Nina Shini Andersen, Social Works
• Representative of Danish models/influencers: Aida Sowe
• Representative of Danish models/influencers: Christine Sofie Johansen
• Representative from a Danish fashion company: Head of Global Brand Communications, Martin Mwila, Samsøe Samsøe

The steering committee meets twice a year to evaluate the charter but is able to assemble whenever necessary. The steering committee has the authority to penalise signatories who do not adhere to the charter’s rules.

Models must be at least 16 years of age in order to work.

Models who are 15 years of age can be given dispensation to work if accompanied by an adult. Models under 15 can only work with children’s and teenage clothing and likewise must be accompanied by an adult (which the agency arranges). The charter also refers to the Danish Working Environment Act.

Clients (fashion companies, photographers, magazines, ad agencies and others) commit to serving models nutritious and healthy food at jobs that last more than two hours.

Models must receive monetary payment for their work. Dispensation from the obligation to pay wages is only possible in agreement with the model for work done for educational institutions, student projects, charities and non-commercial publications (i.e. publications without advertising revenues or sales).

Note on wages: Agreements concerning specific wages and conditions are made between the model agency/the model and the client and between the model agency and the model. Greater transparency and assurance of the individual model’s rights are required in this connection.

All international models are required to provide a valid medical certificate. The completed certificate must be submitted by the brands alongside the casting sheets. It is the responsibility of the respective brands to ensure that these documents are collected and properly filed. Model agencies shall not be held liable for the procurement and submission of medical certificates. In most cases, the associated cost will be covered either by the international model’s agency or by the model themselves.