Model call out
My two girls were selected during a model call out for la sienna early 2023. In exchange for their work, the models would receive a small store voucher and be compensated with all of the photos taken on the day. After the shoot, we received ONE voucher, despite all the singular models receiving the same (1) voucher, apparently management thought this was a good opportunity to get a two for the price of one deal for any siblings they had “employed”. I thought this was distasteful but left it as i knew we were being compensated with professional photos which could be used for the girls if they ever want to pursue further modelling. My older child did decide she wanted to, but I couldn’t use any of these photos for her portfolio, because 1 year on, we still dont have them.
I reached out on multiple occasions and was very rarely responded to unless I sent 2-3 consecutive emails. When they did finally got back to me, they stated that the warmer weather had come around sooner so the outfits my children wore will not be released until…. No one knows when?
I immediately asked about the clause in which I agreed to, that stated we would be compensated within a 6 month period- “You agree that the photographer & La Sienna Couture will email across digital photographs of your child upon the release of the outfits used in the photoshoot, note that this may take up 6 months.” Apparently, I had misinterpreted this statement and I had agreed in-fact to no given timeframe or date in which we would actually receive the compensation for our children doing the shoot. I read this as it was stated, that at a maximum of 6 months both the outfits would be released and the photos would be sent. Who in their right mind would take on work being told you’ll be compensated, some day? Unsure when, but maybe at some point? I wonder if I asked to buy their clothes, but I’d only be paying for them if or when my kids wore them? Would they knowingly accept that offer?
It didn’t take long until I noticed that they were doing a call out for more children, and I wanted to make sure that other mums were not mislead into signing the rights of their child’s photos away without any given date to when the parents would receive them. The owner was straight onto my comment, reassuring all that read it that i agreed to these terms willingly, despite me making it very clear had I known, I would never ever have signed up for it. She mentioned my minor child’s name in her comments, on HER public fb forum. I later had la sienna squad trolls come for me for speaking about my experience, all of which had direct access to the identity of my minor child, as the owner carelessly leaked this information.
I was and still am appalled how this company treat the families and children that they have used to sell their clothes and make money off of. I wondered what other options there could be so that I could get what I was owed and truly wipe my hands clean of ever having to deal with this company again. My friend who is a solicitor suggested I offer to sign a non disclosure statement so that they could send me the photos and I would be legally bound not to share them publicly until they have. This seemed like a really reasonable request, as a win, win for both parties. At no surprise, they rejected this compromise. So here I am, still without the photos, and feeling incredibly heartbroken to have exposed my children to this at such a young age. Honestly, it feels exploitative and my love for any brand does not excuse behaviour where a brand takes advantage of its families. Please think twice about applying to be apart of this. They can afford models, but they choose to use yours (and my) children and play it off as “giving back to their community” - selling you the idea that the free labour of your children, and your time, is them “giving back” to you… because apparently working for them for free is a privilege???
Sadly, my experience is not isolated, many of the other mums who rep or also did the call out have been mortified with how they’ve been treated too. We all started out as women who adored and supported the brand for many years, you do not see the ugliness of the brand until you work with them directly.
7 maart 2024
Review zonder uitnodiging