Singapore modelling firms get a break

A total of 11 agencies, which accounted for about 40 per cent of market share, were taken to task two years ago for price-fixing activities, which ran against the Competition Act, which prohibits companies from colluding on prices.

The companies said they wanted to fight for better terms for local models, but collectively raised rates for engaging models under the front of an association. This affected photographers, fashion brands and show choreographers, said the statutory board yesterday.

Five of the 11 agencies – Bees Work, Diva, Impact, Looque and Ave – had appealed to reduce the penalties. According to a statement, CCS said it lowered the fines as findings showed that the agencies’ senior management were not an aggravating factor, and that a large part of the profits were paid to the models, which meant a lower margin for the companies. The total penalty for the five firms was reduced from S$291,067 to S$243,077.

The other firms that had paid fines were Phantom Management, Impact Models Studio, Electra Management, Linsan Models, Catworkz International and Quest Model Management.