A Night on the Tarmac at The Hangar at 743

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A special night at The Hangar at 743 to support the Prescott Foundation, which helps preserve history by training mechanics to work on old war planes. The fundraiser was a fashion show and NEWS10 spoke with some of the models ahead of the Night on the Tarmac about new legislation set to protect the fashion industry.

“Growing up, my mom kind of warned me I have to be careful, and I have to present myself in a very nice way. And I feel like in these times things are changing. Things are coming to be more safe and this is a great thing to hear! Especially like me. As me, as my first time, because I’m not nervous. Which is a great thing,” said Grayson Johnson, first time model.

There are new protections planned for the modeling industry in New York and it’s being called the Fashion Workers Act, and it’s sitting on the governor’s desk for her signature.

“I’m so excited! We’ve never seen something like this before. I mean, as a model, especially as a young model, it’s really important that I have protections against all the bad things out there in the world,” said model Nora Tomasky.

Some of the protections in the new law include providing models with copies of contracts and agreements at least 24 hours in advance of a job, to make handing over power of attorney optional and revocable at any time and it even looks to the future with Artificial Intelligence protections, among many others.

“The AI aspect of it all, that images can’t be used in place of me, is really, really amazing. It would put millions of girls out of jobs if AI comes in and sweeps us out of place,” said Tomasky.

The Writers Guild of America East, a labor union which supports the new legislation says, “New York is home to a $10 billion fashion industry and its incumbent on our state to protect models and other fashion workers from exploitation. This legislation provides necessary protections for models and while the fashion industry may present the facade of glamour, it’s never in vogue to take advantage of workers.”

So much happening from the fashion show to food and drinks, to auctions and some old-time war plane action. David Prescott, CEO of Prescott Foundation says it’s all for a very noble cause.  And tonight is the fourth year. “One of the things that we ended up figuring out, Night on the Tarmac, you know, has really transitioned towards more of a workforce development. 100% of the funds that we bring in during Night on the Tarmac go to paying the wages for entry level mechanics that have a passion for working on planes,” said Prescott.

“When the guys said come.” The Godfather actor, Giannia Russo said “Why not?

“I’m giving away dinners in my house, in New York, “he tells NEWS10 reporter James De La Fuente those dinner spots can go for as much as $8,000 to $10,000 apiece.

The program is expanding and it’s getting some college credit as well. “Now, Hudson Valley has started an aircraft mechanic school right here at the Albany airport and we work in conjunction with them as well,” finished Prescott.