Becoming a model is a dream for many. But only a few in the industry make a career. If you want to stay in the race, you are often forced to take on every conceivable job - including an escort service. In a new RTL investigative report, Felix Hutt reveals the abuses.
Glamour, catwalk and parties. This is how many young girls and women imagine the dream job of a supermodel. But the road to the Hadids and Jenners of this world is long and not everyone makes it. Investigative reporter Felix Hutt and his team uncover the dark side of the model scene in the new documentary. Among other things, he travels to Milan.
What he finds out there is shocking. Because he is particularly interested in what happens to the models who have not yet made the big breakthrough, and who may never make it. Many of them come from Eastern Europe and share accommodation with several other people. Money is tight, especially when brands and designers don't book them. At the same time, the agencies in the home country and in Italy must be paid. But what to do in this predicament?
Hutt quickly comes into contact with so-called promoters. These are men who ensure that nightclubs and discotheques are "stocked" with enough women. The concept is not new. In many cities, for example in New York, it works in a similar way. As a woman, it's easier to get into discotheques, promoters help. But the promoters in Milan also have another function.
Hutt quickly finds out that they "take care of" the models without a job. What does that look like then? Hutt meets promoter Matteo. He is supposed to ensure that the investigative reporter and his buddies (all colleagues with hidden cameras and microphones) have a good evening - and this apparently includes several very young models from Eastern Europe. Why do they go out to dinner with much older men? Very simple: you need the money. Because everyday life as a working model is not always profitable, even if you have jobs.
As one of the models explains, she earns 100 euros for a day in a showroom where she presents clothes. But she only keeps 50 percent of it, the rest goes to the agency. The models get about the same thing from promoter Matteo, as one of the women reports to Hutt. You can find out more about the dark side of the fashion industry, including allegations of sexual harassment, in the documentary "Felix Hutt Investigative: Fashion. Power. Abuse. The unscrupulous business with young models".
