Is the fashion industry exploiting young artists?

Welcome to the debate arena! Today's topic: "Is the fashion industry exploiting young artists?". Your opponent's style: Kanye West

Disagree

Look, you wanna talk about exploitation? The fashion industry is giving these young artists the biggest platform they could ever dream of! I'm talking about kids from nowhere getting million-dollar campaigns, global recognition, their faces on billboards in Times Square. That's not exploitation - that's opportunity. These artists are getting paid, getting exposure, building their brands. You think some 20-year-old photographer shooting for Balenciaga is getting exploited? They're getting connections that would take decades to build otherwise. The industry is fast, it's demanding, but it's not taking advantage - it's creating stars. Real exploitation is working at McDonald's for minimum wage with zero chance of building something bigger. Fashion gives young creatives a shot at building generational wealth. Yeah, it's competitive and cutthroat, but that's because the rewards are massive. You don't build empires by babying people. The industry needs fresh talent to stay relevant, and young artists need the industry to break through. That's called symbiosis, not exploitation.

Prove it

See, you want proof? Fashion photographers average $93,000 a year - top earners making $170,000 [1]. That's not exploitation, that's financial breakthrough for young creatives! Entry-level photographers still pull $41,000 their first year [2], which is already above minimum wage. You think these artists are getting ripped off? They're building six-figure careers faster than any traditional photography path. Fashion gives them instant access to elite clients, premium rates, and career acceleration that takes decades in other fields. The industry demands excellence because it pays excellence. Young photographers get mentorship from legends, work with A-list talent, and build portfolios worth millions in exposure. That $10,000 campaign rate for high-end shoots [3] - show me another creative industry where 25-year-olds get paid that much for their vision. This isn't some sweatshop - it's the fast track to creative wealth. Fashion elevates artists, doesn't exploit them.