David Gandy Advocates for Model Pay equity, Reflects on Industry Imbalance
LONDON - British model David Gandy revealed he intentionally sought parity in earnings with female counterparts, acknowledging a historical pay gap within the fashion industry. Speaking to the BBC,Gandy detailed his viewpoint on the imbalance and his efforts to address it during his career.
Gandy, who shares two daughters with long-term partner Stephanie Mendoros, explained his motivation stemmed from recognizing the existing disparity. He observed that female models were consistently compensated at a higher rate than male models, and he proactively worked to equalize his fees. This disclosure arrives amid growing scrutiny surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the protection of individual likenesses,prompting discussions about rights and remuneration for models in the digital age.
“Female models were rightly paid more than us,” Gandy stated, explaining his rationale. “I wanted to even things up.” He noted that despite his high profile-appearing in advertising campaigns and large-scale posters-he often avoids recognition in public,sometimes with individuals identifying him while standing in front of his own advertisements. Gandy described a generally positive reception from the public, stating, “I always say I have quite a nice level of fame… Ninety-nine per cent of people are vrey polite when they come up to me and have a conversation.”
the conversation around model compensation is gaining urgency as AI technologies advance, raising concerns about the unauthorized use of images and the potential for exploitation.A government spokesperson acknowledged the “complex challenges” presented by fast-moving technologies like AI, adding that existing UK law offers some protection for personal identity, with ongoing review to assess its effectiveness. The spokesperson confirmed the government continues to solicit feedback on the current legal framework and potential necessary changes.
Guess was contacted for comment.
