Plum Sykes' Use of Unpaid Interns Reignites Creative Industry Debate
Lifestyle blogger Plum Sykes, who is said to have inspired a character in The Devil Wears Prada and served as a personal assistant to Anna Wintour, is at the centre of a controversy over her use of unpaid student interns. Sykes, an editor at Vogue, runs a Substack with over 20,000 followers, some paying £65 for her content, yet relies on students who work for free to assist with tasks ranging from sourcing photographers to managing social media.
Interns Provide Lavish Gifts While Earning Nothing
Not only does Sykes not pay these interns, but one reportedly bought her Hermès gloves worth between £500 and £1,000. Her blog features personal posts, such as ranking house guests by gift value, highlighting a lifestyle that contrasts sharply with the unpaid labour supporting it. Pandora Sykes, a former editor with no relation, criticised this practice online, stating there is "no place in 2026 for not paying your contributors".
Legal and Ethical Concerns Over Unpaid Work
Employment law guidelines specify that unpaid internships are only lawful if they involve shadowing or are part of a course requirement. Sykes claims her interns fall into this category, but critics argue that productive work should warrant the national minimum wage. Previous governments have warned sectors like fashion and media against unpaid internships, noting potential unlawfulness.
Condé Nast, Sykes' employer, previously settled a class-action lawsuit for $5.8 million over underpaid interns, some earning as little as a dollar an hour. Sykes lamented the lack of internships at Condé Nast in a post, attributing it to bureaucratic issues like HR or health and safety.
Broader Implications for Media and Young Workers
Sophie Sajnani, a university consulting firm director, emphasised that laws protect workers from exploitation, noting that unpaid labour models are resurfacing through individuals like Sykes. Carl Cullinane of the Sutton Trust highlighted that internships are critical for career entry, yet many remain unpaid, disadvantaging young people. Paul Nowak of the TUC added that unpaid work disproportionately affects those from working-class backgrounds, calling for legislative clarity.
Sykes defended her actions, stating the interns are students gaining experience and course credits through casual, voluntary tasks without set hours. She noted turning away non-students to avoid hindering their paid work opportunities, reflecting a tough media job market.
Background and Family Ties
Sykes, related to a baronet with a family estate in Yorkshire, is married to multimillionaire Toby Rowland. Her great-grandfather, Mark Sykes, co-drafted the Sykes-Picot agreement. Despite her privileged background, she admitted not paying interns currently but expressed hope for change.
This case underscores ongoing tensions in creative industries, where unpaid internships persist despite legal risks and ethical concerns, impacting young aspirants seeking to break into competitive fields.
