Note from Anne: As a result of this NYC lawsuit and learning about L’Officiel USA’s pattern of not paying freelancers, AOC will no longer promote any fashion stories or lifestyle posts associated with L’Officiel USA magazines until there is a resolution to this lawsuit. We will research this alleged pattern and practice in other L’Officiel magazines worldwide and not post any further materials associated with L’Officiel magazines until we understand both the scope and the organizational, corporate structure that governs L’Officiel media.

AOC shares a summary of key points in a press release from the Office of the Mayor of New York City, which filed suit against L’Officiel USA on December 1, 2021.

NYC Sues L'Officiel USA for Not Paying Freelancers On Time or Ever AOC Fashion for entire discussion

The Freelance Isn't Free Act is a local New York City law passed by the New York City Council in 2016 that protects the labor rights of freelance workers. The bill was enacted on May 15, 2017 and is now the basis for a new lawsuit filed by New York City ’s Law Department and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) against L’Officiel USA, the American subsidiary of the French-owned global media company.

The lawsuit was announced by outgoing New York City mayor Bill de Blasio on December 1, after its filing in New York County Supreme Court.

NYC ’s Freelance Isn ’t Free Act, the first law of its kind in the country, gives freelance workers the legal right to written contracts, timely payment, and freedom from retaliation. The Law also established a Court Navigation Program as one avenue to assist freelancers in getting paid and accessing other resources, but it also authorizes New York City to file cases against businesses with a systemic pattern and practice of violating the Law.

In this first court case derived from NYC ’s Freelance Isn ’t Free Act. The lawsuit, which was filed in New York County Supreme Court, alleges that L ’Officiel has “engaged in a pattern of failing to pay freelancers on time or at all, including writers, editors, photographers, videographers, graphic designers and illustrators.”