The fashion and entertainment industry is changing fast andif you're a working model, photographer, makeup artist, stylist, or creative, you're probably already feeling it.
In this episode of Ask The Agents, we breakdown why jobs are drying up, how AI is disrupting campaigns, and what you can do to stay competitive in 2025 and beyond.
We share real data, career-saving strategies, and advicefrom inside one of Australia’s top talent agencies. Whether you’re a freelance model, performer, content creator or part of a production crew this is your survival guide for staying booked, relevant, and creatively fulfilled.
CEO Chelsea Bonner and Group Director Katherine Taylor dive into the reality of the performing and creative arts industry in 2025. From AI’s impact on modelling and content creation to rising insolvencies and tariffs across fashion and media.
Who this episode is for:
Working models, photographers, makeup artists, producers, stylists, art directors, actors, digital creators, casting agents, and anyone in the creative industries trying to navigate the new landscape.
Episode Highlights:
* Why fashion, beauty & e-commerce jobs are vanishing
* How AI has replaced entry-level creatives & cataloguemodels
* What real Australian brands are cutting and what they’restill paying for
* Insider advice for models, photographers, stylists, andproducers
* What clients look for in a saturated, shrinking market
* How to use social media and digital content to rebuild yourbooking power
* What “being competitive” really means in today’s climate
* The rise of creator-led advertising and how to pivot yourskills
* New income streams for photographers and creatives (print sales, Patreon, workshops)
* Real talk on burnout, allyship, and how to stay focused.
Resources:
Vogue Business
https://www.voguebusiness.com/story/fashion/how-australias-economic-slump-is-impacting-fashion
News.com
https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/industry-is-on-its-knees-is-this-the-end-of-australian-fashion/news-story/59dce0e6a793cc7ee51571ea02136d23
Ragtrader
https://www.ragtrader.com.au/news/inside-the-decline-of-australia-s-fashion-wholesale-market
Australian Financial Review
https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/fashion-and-style/fashion-industry-eyes-local-production-to-fight-temu-tariffs-squeeze-20250505-p5lwkl
SBS News
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/the-feed/article/its-been-a-bad-year-for-retail-is-the-aussie-mall-dead/lw2r9p3xr
ABC News
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-02-01/the-demise-of-mid-range-fashion-rivers-millers/104876424
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