What's an ethical modelling agency? KIKO sits down with MOSS to talk about her agency and career as an ethical model.

Model and business owner Kiko talks about the modelling industry, the importance of working with ethical and sustainable brands and starting her own ethical modelling agency. Having modelling all over the world and been featured in Vogue, this woman knows a thing or two about the industry and where improvements need to be made.

A believer in being happy and fulfilled, this has been Kiko’s personal push to work with ethical and/or sustainable brands. “It is important that you work with people and brands who are on the same mission as you. For me, it is to make the fashion industry/world a better place. I believe in order to make a difference together, partnering/working with people who you share similar values with is essential”. 

As a model what unethical practices have you come across/experienced?

At the age of 17, I was told by my agent in Canada to lose weight, get a nose job, and fix my teeth in order to look like a "perfect" runway model. 

Since I didn't know how to love myself back then, I decided to go on an extreme diet where I ate almost nothing and exercised 3 hours a day. As a result, I became anorexic and was hospitalized. The doctor told me I was close to having a heart attack. These types of unethical practices, where agents pressure models to look a certain way, are unfortunately still common in modelling. According to The Model Alliance, they report that sixty-eight percent of models surveyed suffer from anorexia, depression, or a combination of both.

So what was the inspiration behind starting your own ethical modelling agency?

The more I modelled for ethical and sustainable brands, the more questions I received from other models who also wanted to work with ethical and sustainable brands. Since I believe that models with ethical values should have a voice for positive change and changing the world for the better, I wanted to find a way to provide the same opportunities for them. And I thought the best way to do this was to start an ethical modelling agency. That's why recently I have opened Ethical Models (http://ethicalmodels.com/) to connect sustainable brands with models who share their ethical values so that brands can have meaningful campaigns, and brands and models can use both of their voices for positive change! 

Could you please explain what an ethical model is and how it differs from regular modelling?

Sure! For me, an ethical model is someone with ethical beliefs and values who wishes to make the world a better place through their work, activism, social media, and other platforms. Having ethical values and taking action for change as a model differs from regular modelling. It is so much more than what you look like but what values you have as a model. 

What ethical brands have you loved working with?

ECOALF as they are leading the way in sustainability by making timeless, stylish clothes made from only recycled and natural materials such as recycled plastic bottles, fishing nets, tires, etc. They are upcycling the oceans by working with trash that is thrown into the oceans, transforming it into top quality yarn to produce garments.

AVASAN as they use left-over fabrics from luxury fashion brands who overestimated their needs. Traditionally, brands would hold on to their excess fabrics for a few seasons and then send them to the landfills, so they work with these unwanted materials to make stylish kimonos with a touch of east and west. Their small-scale collections are fully handcrafted with care in Amy’s Studio in Cádiz (Spain), in collaboration with small companies from the area, helping the local economy.

Have you noticed any differences between modelling in Paris or Berlin? 

Yes, in Paris, there is a lot more fashion modelling. In Berlin, there is more commercial modelling. And I like that I can experience a bit of both! 

What changes would you like to see occurring within the fashion industry?

In the garment industry, I want to see changes regarding gender equality, safe working conditions, fair wages, and child-labour. 

 In the modelling industry, I want to see changes regarding problems with sexual harassment, assault, trafficking, eating disorders, and mental illness. 

Have you noticed any big changes in the industry in the time frame of your career?

Yes, 100%. I think when I first started modelling, 10 years ago, social media was not a thing yet. It was more typical modelling but now with the growth of social media, I have the feeling that influencers are taking over models for marketing purposes. Which is hard for the modelling industry to accept but I believe overall, it is good that we are normalising real human bodies and embracing who we are as individuals more. 

To hear more from KIKO check out her instagram  @kiko.sunflowersoul