Background: Research on female fashion models is limited and focused on body issues. What the women in this population perceive as the main impacts on their health and wellbeing has not been researched. This research studied this topic qualitatively and explored models’ suggestions for mitigation of negative impacts, whereupon recommendations for action and research could be made. Methods: In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted over ZOOM with nine female models working in London. Interviews were thematically analysed through an iterative process using Nvivo12. Results: Data from this study shows that female models experience a wide range of health impacts that were both positive and negative. Positively, interviewees reported that modelling fostered healthy behaviours and personal growth. Negatively, participants experienced stress from the precarious nature of modelling, which the low power position of models amplifies. Unhealthy work conditions included lack of breaks, sexual harassment, loneliness, and shooting outdoors in poor conditions. In addition, performing aesthetic labour impacts wellbeing. Having your body as your business can lead to comparison, self-criticism, and potentially eating disorders. Participants are alarmed about the abusive language used around thinness. Because female models start working as minors, participants expressed concern for lasting harmful impacts. For mitigation, participants advocated that agencies must provide more business guidance for models. Currently there is too much pressure on the individual to withstand the industry’s pressures. Also, infrastructure to report unhealthy conditions were deemed necessary. Conclusion: This study addresses a previously unexplored area of the fashion industry. Analysis of interviews demonstrates the value of researching models’ health from the community’s perspective. It showed that, while body issues are part of models’ mental health, the effects of stress, low power position, and precarity were of equal if not more importance. Identifying these influencers on health is important in order to effectively promote and research the health of models.

Anonymised transcripts will made available on reasonable request and subject to the signing of a data sharing agreement. Identifiable information on interviewees will not be provided. Requests should be made to Nimue Smit and Dr. Kerry Brown via the request form.

Fashion Modelling, Health effects, Mental health, Occupational Health, Body Image