Fashion’s freelancers are under pressure. What’s the solution?

Layoffs have swollen the freelancer pool, and late payments and burnout culture are rife. Two talent platforms are hoping to change mindsets.
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Model Marie Kone, who is part of Ubooker's talent pool.Photo: Courtesy of Ubooker

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Fashion’s freelancer economy is having a growth spurt. A recent round of layoffs saw jobs go at retailers including Matches and Farfetch, and magazines such as i-D. These new freelancers are entering a saturated market, one which swelled during the pandemic and during the subsequent ‘great resignation’ of 2021 and 2022. As competition for work intensifies, financial insecurity and burnout are only becoming more pervasive.