Would You Work In Exchange For Clothes?

Marc Jacobs Fall 2012.

There is a story floating around the Internet about Marc Jacobs paying his models in clothes and accessories. The company confirmed it via Twitter, and if you dig any further, you'll see that the currency at MJ is hardly unique. All over the fashion industry workers are paid in contra and I, too, have received beauty products, clothes, and gift cards in lieu of cash more times than I care to admit.

Here's the thing: if they are beauty products, clothes, and gift cards that I would spend cash on anyway, then to some extent I'm okay with it. I don't, however, see it as a 50/50 deal. For example, I would not accept a $200 pair of jeans for $200 worth of work. In that case, I want two pairs, maybe even three. Companies hardly pay retail, so those jeans are probably truly worth $75 at cost. Furthermore, they are saving on shipping, taxes, etc., so it's an easy exchange. You're doing them a favour and in some cases, it's even processed as inventory, so it's to their sales numbers benefits. (Magazines do this often, giving away copies for free to inflate their circulation numbers.)

Hailey Hasbrook - the 17-year-old model tied up in the Marc Jacobs story - was apparently gifted a bag, dress, jacket, and shoes for a week of on-and-off work. That's actually a pretty sweet deal, plus she now has Marc Jacobs in her portfolio and she went into the deal with her eyes wide open. She knew exactly what she would receive in exchange for her time and still chose to do the job - happily.

In her personal Tumblr Hailey gushed over her reward; it's the media that later deemed it unfair. I just hope that MJ continues to call her in light of the negative press 'cause it sounds like she'd do it again in a heartbeat.

Read Hailey's thoughts on the matter here.

Have your say! Do you think it's fair of Marc Jacobs to pay models in clothing and accessories?

By: Laura; Photo by WENN.