Thu, 18 Dec 2008 11:29

Consilium clothing - experts in workwear.

Life models in Paris put on their 'workwear' for a protest over pay, proper contracts and respect for their profession.

The models braved the cold weather to stage a nude protest on the streets of Paris with only tasteful Christmas trees motifs to hide their modesty.

Artist and students sat sketching the protestors in their unique corporate wear as they called for better pay and more respect from French society.

The strike has been motivated by a decision from Paris City Hall to ban the tradition of the 'cornet', which is a rolled up cone of paper passed around by the model for tips.

Life models currently earn around €10 (£9.43) per hour, but have no job security or proper contracts.

Deborah, a life-model and one of the strike organisers, told the Guardian: "This is a craft that should be respected, not just anyone can take their clothes off and hold a pose."

"It is artistic and physically demanding work," she added.

Gerard Vilage, an art teacher from Paris's Beaux Arts Ateliers, praised the protest but said that "we can't let people collect money that's not taxed while working in a state building".

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