The ‘Outlander’ star and former model speaks out on a proposed state bill that would reform modeling agencies, creating, she says, “basic protections for fashion’s creative workforce.”

Long before I started acting, I spent almost 10 years working as a fashion model. I walked the runways of brands such as Victoria’s Secret and the fashion houses of Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, Chanel and many others. But despite my success, I still experienced the detriments of working in a largely unregulated industry, like not getting paid on time, if at all. Everything changed when I became an actor, but it’s still the same grind in fashion — and worse.

On the surface, acting and modeling have a nearly identical business structure: Agencies book gigs on your behalf as talent. Why, then, do these two industries have totally different responsibilities to their creative workforces?

Well, for one thing, fashion is an industry largely made up of young women and girls. To many, the labor of models is not seen as “work” but rather the benefits of winning a genetic lottery. So, models are perceived as being privileged, with no talent or skill, and therefore unworthy of basic protections or even empathy. That’s contrasted with actors who are seen as talented — and even get an entire, widely televised awards season celebrating those talents — on top of the protections they enjoy from being part of a heavily unionized workforce.

But the real issue here is that many modeling agencies have created and benefited from a system in which they take zero responsibility for advancing a model’s career or financial interests, but yet they dictate terms for those models. That’s vastly different to the relationship I’ve experienced with my agency as an actor.

Unlike talent agencies, which are considered employment agencies, modeling agencies are instead classified as “management companies.” Many contracts hand over “power of attorney” to modeling agencies, allowing them to accept payments and negotiate pay rate on behalf of the model without her knowledge; deposit checks and deduct unexplained expenses on top of a hearty commission; force models and creatives to sign multiyear, exclusive contracts that auto-renew, without any obligation to book them jobs; and they even can give third parties permission to use a model’s image or collect royalties without having to pay the model for that usage.
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A dysentery epidemic spreads on the Ridge, and Claire falls deathly ill; she is almost recovered when the Christies arrive and drop a bombshell; as nefarious rumors spread like wildfire on the Ridge, tragedy strikes.

She also paired the retro ensemble with a Van Cleef & Arpels necklace from 1957.

When selecting her gown for the 2022 Oscars, Caitriona Balfe looked to the past for inspiration, taking her styling cues from one of the most iconic actresses in Hollywood history: Grace Kelly.

The Belfast star managed to perfectly capture the aesthetic of silver screen sirens of yesteryear in a custom white column dress by Louis Vuitton featuring bejeweled straps and a peplum that descended into a ruffled train. She completed the look with a Van Cleef & Arpels heritage necklace, as well as diamond earrings, a bracelet, and a ring from the brand. Balfe explained to Vanity Fair that, “The inspiration for tonight’s look was 1950s and ‘60s Cristobal Balenciaga creations.” It was during this time period that late couturier became synonymous with gowns designed to showcase a woman’s figure in unique ways, relying on large prints or enveloping the body in columns to abstract the silhouette. She added that she specifically “wanted Nicolas [Ghesquière, Louis Vuitton’s creative director] to play with that.”

Balfe was enamored with the final look the designer came up with, but noted that her favorite aspect was “how this beautiful silk taffeta back met with the crystal straps and flowed out in to this beautiful architectural train.” But, of course, no Academy Awards ensemble would be complete without some jaw-dropping pieces of jewelry to go with it. The actor’s heritage Van Cleef & Arpels necklace was a particular standout as she pointed out that it’s “a beautiful statement piece from 1957. It just fit so perfectly with my inspiration of ’50s Balenciaga with a touch of Grace Kelly and we accented it with gorgeous diamond earrings, bracelet and ring.”
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Caitriona Balfe attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022 in Hollywood. You can go to the gallery and enjoy the photos!

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