Sexual Misconduct Allegations in the Fashion Industry

[FadeToBlack]

My only feeling surrounding this whole issue is, perhaps, the industry is getting a much needed spring clean of all the old relics who have 'ruled the hallways' for far too long. We may perhaps start see some new photographers shooting the cover of Vogue, now that the likes of Testino and Demarchelier have been exposed... I guess thats why we've had Steven Klein on the cover of US Vogue for March...

I'm not defending him, but I do think the Karl Templer issue may have been blown out of proportion - I've seen female stylists do similar things, but get away with it, because they are 'straight women'. but even if Karl protested his homosexuality, I think that would be thrown by the wayside and still classed as a predator based purely on his sex.

The one image that I still find weird - is one from Terry Richards' book, he's shooting Kate Moss on a beach (I believe in Jamaica) and she's topless in a pair of sunglasses, but he is completely naked behind the camera. I get the whole nudism lifestyle, but with all the stories about him, I just found it incredibly creepy.
That book in particular is basically p*rn*gr*phy with a few fashion images thrown in. Images of him with prostitutes, women performing acts on him and vice versa - and the fact it was published as a fashion coffee table book and comes complete with a 'safe cover' because he's naked on the front cover.

 

[t-rex]

Agreed about Meisel! Also, I have heard nothing about Sims and McDean. They seem like professionals to me. So far no Brit photographer made this list, hope it can be kept this way.

Sims, McDean and Sorrenti as well have always struck me as true professionals too, I will be really disappointed if they are named. Hopefully the vibes I get from them are correct.

 

[mepps]

No fashion photographer is pristine.
Don't fool yourselves.

 

[June]

^ No human being is only good or bad but I assume not all fashion photographers are sexual predators or abusing their power in another way.

 

[russianelf]

Mert Alas no are clean , he have drugs , sex and alcohol in the house of Ibiza in a supposed shotting for w magazine with all male and younger models at that party was Riccardo Tisci one of the models from Uruguay comment the table hace cocaine
and was invited to take it and continue with the supposed editorial that was not published but there is a photo of that day in the book of photographers.

Drugs are bad and illegal, but you're not a sexual predator for doing them. The industry's drug problem is an entirely a separate topic.

 

[sore]

Drugs are bad and illegal, but you're not a sexual predator for doing them. The industry's drug problem is an entirely a separate topic.

No, not entirely. It's not about wether or not an adult photographer and/or his team do drugs, but about how they are potentially used in order to make young girls 'loosen up'. And even if this was not the case at all (and not even my grandma would be naive enough to think so), it's still a problem of power structures and potential power abuse to give drugs to minors or encourage them to join in - most of them don't dare to say no.
Of course it's not up to par with sexual harassment or even r*pe, but it's still not okay and certainly part of the bigger picture that led up to the point we're at now. If the fashion industry is so keen on doing drugs, they can at least stop endangering 15-year-olds and make 18 a minimum age requirement, for God's sake.

(Teller is another name that comes to mind when talking about this kind of behavior and the stories I've heard about him certainly do include the 'loosen up' part.)

 

[artemovartem]

This is crazy how all those years Terry Richardson was the only name associated with this topic.

Yeah, I know, I'm not a little kid and have heard about the 'other side' of modeling, but reading about all these big names is just shock. Fashion industry will never be the same to me!

I wonder if designers names will show up here. Dsquared2 brothers seems very thirsty for a male models to me. But I hope I'm wrong!

 

[Benn98]

My only feeling surrounding this whole issue is, perhaps, the industry is getting a much needed spring clean of all the old relics who have 'ruled the hallways' for far too long.

It's a bit vile to think like this, but I was convinced we'd never ever get rid of Testino and Demarchelier. Now we have, but at a dear price. The fashion print industry as we know it, is dead. At the same time I am a bit apprehensive. What lies behind Testino's success is that he, along with Demarchelier, was one of the select few who was able to coax celebrities as well as he was models. That's part of the reason why Vogue and VF liked them so much, I'm sure. Whenever Anna killed shoots by other photographers it was always one of these two who came to the rescue. That sort of safeness and reliability in terms of output which I'm not getting that from the new guard. I&V will probably be the closest replacement, and then Jannsson, McDean and Klein. But then again I no longer care for I&V, not after that Alexander Wang campaign.

 

[Caffeine]

In finance, women sued.
When I was at a major bank's leadership program, a senior MD told all the women at a private dinner that we all needed to thank all the brave women who sued in the 80s, 90s, and through today.
Wall Street still has its own issues, but it's improving. When will these models start taking actions, and not settling for $100,000, but going for millions, going for a class action suit, and making a bad organization bankrupt?

 

[Benn98]

In finance, women sued.
When I was at a major bank's leadership program, a senior MD told all the women at a private dinner that we all needed to thank all the brave women who sued in the 80s, 90s, and through today.
Wall Street still has its own issues, but it's improving. When will these models start taking actions, and not settling for $100,000, but going for millions, going for a class action suit, and making a bad organization bankrupt?

Because it's too much of a chain-like and cliquey industry. Sue your banking manager for sexual harassment and I doubt you'd get flak from colleagues and other branch superiors. Sue a photographer (as early as a year ago) and you'd be pariahed or face reprisals from his allies. That and also the fact that the culprits not only continue their careers without much hiccups after your act of bravery, but in odd instances they actually get rewarded. After Ashley Brokaw pressurised a LV model re her weight, she got a new gig as chief booker at UK Vogue. So I can now see why the girls go for the hush money.

 

[Caffeine]

Because it's too much of a chain-like and cliquey industry. Sue your banking manager for sexual harassment and I doubt you'd get flak from colleagues and other branch superiors. Sue a photographer (as early as a year ago) and you'd be pariahed or face reprisals from his allies. That and also the fact that the culprits not only continue their careers without much hiccups after your act of bravery, but in odd instances they actually get rewarded. After Ashley Brokaw pressurised a LV model re her weight, she got a new gig as chief booker at UK Vogue. So I can now see why the girls go for the hush money.

I think there are similar issues in banking too. To some, once you sue, you will never be hired by another bank.
The difference, I suppose, is that when you have nothing to lose, or at least less to lose, you can do it.
Some sued after they have made some money to be able to live on less glamorous paychecks. Or perhaps their spouses do well.
For models though, it's probably much harder. You can't do other things once your career is over (you will have to perhaps start over with a new degree), so you have a lot to lose. They tend to be very young too.
Unless you are a super model with a lot of say in the process? Or you conceal carry so no one dares to bother you? I don't know...If I were one of those litigation lawyers I would be all over them. Or even the FBI...not that they are still into doing regular jobs nowadays

My point is that we'll need some fighting to get this issue resolved. Exposing the abusers is only step 1.

 

[dsamg]

I think there are similar issues in banking too. To some, once you sue, you will never be hired by another bank.
The difference, I suppose, is that when you have nothing to lose, or at least less to lose, you can do it.
Some sued after they have made some money to be able to live on less glamorous paychecks. Or perhaps their spouses do well.
For models though, it's probably much harder. You can't do other things once your career is over (you will have to perhaps start over with a new degree), so you have a lot to lose. They tend to be very young too.
Unless you are a super model with a lot of say in the process? Or you conceal carry so no one dares to bother you? I don't know...If I were one of those litigation lawyers I would be all over them. Or even the FBI...not that they are still into doing regular jobs nowadays

My point is that we'll need some fighting to get this issue resolved. Exposing the abusers is only step 1.

Exactly. I am a 25 yr old female in investment banking and I would never ever dare to come forward or sue due to sexual harassment. It is crazy that people think your career in finance will actually continue if you do this.

 

[Deleted member 130879]

I'm not defending him, but I do think the Karl Templer issue may have been blown out of proportion - I've seen female stylists do similar things, but get away with it, because they are 'straight women'. but even if Karl protested his homosexuality, I think that would be thrown by the wayside and still classed as a predator based purely on his sex.

Female stylists get away with it because most stylists (male or female) get away with it. It has nothing to do with gender but power. It is common practice to let stylists "touch" models the way they see fit. And that is not okay, no matter your gender. I've seen a model, backstage, crying because a female designer "tucked" her breasts violently into a dress. It may not be under sexual harassment (as it has nothing to do with sex) but it's a way of imposing power and humiliate the models. It's psychopathic behaviour at its "purest" form - in their heads, the models have no feelings, are almost inanimate objects, dolls, that they can manipulate as they please and explore their power dynamics. And when you have those kinds of psychopathic attitudes towards a group of people, it can easily escalate into something bigger - like violence.

Now we have, but at a dear price. The fashion print industry as we know it, is dead.

Is it, though? Or is it just that magazines are too closed in their own circles and unable to find talent outside of it? If you think about it, most magazines were relaying in a very strict number of photographers, most of them older/above 40 years old. Display of younger talent was scarce and usually in indie magazines. With the demise of Testino, Weber and Terry, we started seeing a few new names but it all still feels like people from inside the circle/scene (I like Ethan James Green photography but it's like I've seen it all before, feels like deja vu).
I believe fashion photography is alive and well, we just need fashion editors/creative directors to open their eyes and leave their "safe" creative spaces.

 

[rubydon]

Female stylists get away with it because most stylists (male or female) get away with it. It has nothing to do with gender but power.

Completely agree with this.

 

[t-rex]

Kate Upton details harassment and assault from Guess' Paul Marciano (who has since stepped down) http://time.com/5137456/kate-upton-paul-marciano-interview/

 

[CommanderTMugler]

Wow, glad the photographer is backing her up. Hopefully Ellen talks.

 

[modela]

I always thought that Guess was one of the beter paying jobs..and @ Ellen being all about it.

 

[Miss Dalloway]

Paul is a known creep, but harrassing someone that publicly, and with such agression really makes me sick!

Super dissappointed that Ellen said she doesn't remember the incident, please! There can't be change without everoyne going on record, and having these *******s accountable.

Also shocked more Testino victims didn't come forward, it's not as easy as it seems, some of these men are very much protected!

 

[fashionista-ta]

Kate Upton details harassment and assault from Guess' Paul Marciano (who has since stepped down) http://time.com/5137456/kate-upton-paul-marciano-interview/

So, he's stepped down, over what just a few days ago was a pack of lies? I'm so tired of these jerks.

 

[rubydon]

There are some horrible stories out there regarding Marciano's treatment of Anna Nicole Smith. Very glad to be living in an era where that kind of behavior is no longer tolerated.