Sexual Misconduct Allegations in the Fashion Industry

[sore]

While photographers should be “responsible, respectful and professional,” Bellemere suggested a model’s agent or chaperone should be present on location, just as a celebrity has a publicist on set. Also a code of conduct should be agreed upon with each new season. To enforce that after each shoot, models and photographers would each evaluate how well-behaved both parties were by signing off on a report in their own privacy. The objective would be to “prove that all as been done under respect or without misbehavior,” Bellemere said. “This is to avoid lies and problems. We have to sit around the table and write it down together. I want this war to end between feminists and the industry. We are wasting too much talent.”

That's not the worst idea (although it would mean a lot of extra effort for agencies), wouldn't have expected it coming from him, especially since he goes on to talk about the "war between feminists and the industry".
The way he speaks about "feminists" in that article is so telling. The people coming forward are human beings first and feminists second, and as human beings they would like to be able to work without being harassed or sexually exploited. It's not a matter of whether or not you qualify as a feminist, it's a matter of basic human rights. All of those accused celebs & photographers can reassure us a trillion times they never did any harm, as long as they go on to talk about a war between feminists and the industry as though the two were mutually exclusive and feminists had invaded the fashion industry from Mars, nobody will ever believe them, and rightfully so.

 

[Armani]

"There is due process. We have something called justice here. We have been walking on it since the [beginning] of the story of humanity. We are not savages in the Middle Ages. If you have any proof, you bring the proof," Bellemere said. "Today if a feminist says, "He's guilty," everybody is going to believe he's guilty."

The French-born photographer disputed the Globe report that he propositioned Myla Dalbesio after working with her on a Lord & Taylor shoot in Paris with a bondage photo via Instagram. Bellemere said he sent an image of his artistic work to her because they had discussed the prospect of working in that sector. The photographer said such artistic work of his is the basis of a Starz TV documentary, called "Nude."

This might be the worst excuse for sexual assault I've ever heard, and we've all heard lots of them. What the hell? Where do I even start here?

Bellemere, where's your proof? If you have it, you bring it, right? I understand nude shoots are artistic, but come on - if the team involved, especially the model, doesn't consent to something you do on set, any person with basic human decency would show some respect and stop what they're doing.

By the way, not every sexual assault victim who gains the courage and strength to come out with their story is automatically a feminist, and regardless, being a feminist & believing in equality intersectionally doesn't make you any less of a person, and it doesn't make your statements any less truthful. Bellemere just proved he thinks feminists are the ever-so-stereotypical "disgusting SJWs that want everything their way!" And it isn't as if only one person is calling you out either. There's strength in numbers - the more people voice their solidarity, the more people will believe you're guilty.

*whining* "One of those pesky SJWs are coming for ME now and everyone believes THEM! Why not ME? They're telling me I'm a piece of sh*t for forcibly and unconsensually touching & kissing the models? WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE THIS??? "

 

[Cute]

Leaving this here: https://sites.google.com/view/shitmodelmgmt/home?authuser=4

 

[dsamg]

Leaving this here: https://sites.google.com/view/shitmodelmgmt/home?authuser=4

Not surprised at all that Scognamiglio turned out to be on that list. A little shocked ahout Greg Kadel though, with an asterisk as well.

 

[sore]

^ Greg Kadel was also named in the Boston Globe piece.

I think the only big name that I hadn't yet heard of with an asterisk is Jeremy Scott. Any information about him?

 

[TREVOFASHIONISTO]

there are several people on there that I know/have worked with before, including an old boss. Im not saying all of the names on there are true, but the ones I recognize im not surprised theyre mentioned

 

[theBlueRider]

there are several people on there that I know/have worked with before, including an old boss. Im not saying all of the names on there are true, but the ones I recognize im not surprised theyre mentioned

That is how I am feeling. I’m surprised the list is not longer. But a lot of the names are ones many industry vets already know about and more that I have suspected. Now confirmed and not surprised at all.

Considering how accurate the list falls with the things I’ve seen and heard, I’m sure the owners of the account have a genuine network of models. It’s also really easy to tell if something is a fake or new account submitting based on the number of pictures posted. A lot of models had their accounts for a long time and list their agencies and credentials throughout their account pictures.

 

[Deleted member 130879]

Considering how accurate the list falls with the things I’ve seen and heard, I’m sure the owners of the account have a genuine network of models. It’s also really easy to tell if something is a fake or new account submitting based on the number of pictures posted. A lot of models had their accounts for a long time and list their agencies and credentials throughout their account pictures.

It is true. They asked for models to come forward a few months ago and I know a few models who sent their stories. That said, a few of the names that were suing her are ommited. Which is a shame.

 

[Les_Sucettes]

That's not the worst idea (although it would mean a lot of extra effort for agencies), wouldn't have expected it coming from him, especially since he goes on to talk about the "war between feminists and the industry".
The way he speaks about "feminists" in that article is so telling. The people coming forward are human beings first and feminists second, and as human beings they would like to be able to work without being harassed or sexually exploited. It's not a matter of whether or not you qualify as a feminist, it's a matter of basic human rights. All of those accused celebs & photographers can reassure us a trillion times they never did any harm, as long as they go on to talk about a war between feminists and the industry as though the two were mutually exclusive and feminists had invaded the fashion industry from Mars, nobody will ever believe them, and rightfully so.

It's clear why most people accused of a crime are advised not to take the stand. It's just giving them rope to hang themselves. The "feminist" comment is so idiotic and representive of a certain dangerous mindset that invalidates everything he may have to say.

 

[theBlueRider]

It is true. They asked for models to come forward a few months ago and I know a few models who sent their stories. That said, a few of the names that were suing her are ommited. Which is a shame.

I hope those people who are trying to sue come out as well. Because that’s just a double knife into their chest. Harvey Weinstein and Trump have tried to sue their victims...those kinds of people are the lowest of the low.

 

[fashionista-ta]

That's not the worst idea (although it would mean a lot of extra effort for agencies), wouldn't have expected it coming from him, especially since he goes on to talk about the "war between feminists and the industry".
The way he speaks about "feminists" in that article is so telling. The people coming forward are human beings first and feminists second, and as human beings they would like to be able to work without being harassed or sexually exploited. It's not a matter of whether or not you qualify as a feminist, it's a matter of basic human rights. All of those accused celebs & photographers can reassure us a trillion times they never did any harm, as long as they go on to talk about a war between feminists and the industry as though the two were mutually exclusive and feminists had invaded the fashion industry from Mars, nobody will ever believe them, and rightfully so.

I agree. I also strongly suspect that the tragically wasted talent he refers to is ... his own, not that of the many, many models who've been abused and tossed away.

 

[mathiaskatz]

I think the most surprising thing about the list is how unsurprising those names are. It's like most people in the industry can say, "oh I did hear about some stories about X, Y, and Z at some point or another..."

 

[Miss Dalloway]

NYT has more today, very interesting how they point out that many of these men could easily be accepted back into the industry soon! Stephen Gan waiting for Weber accussations to "blow over", is so gross!!! But another assistant of Testino making this account, really made my skin crawl (especially since these were the exact kinda rumors one would hear about Mario, for years

That was around the time Shaun Hartas, then a 27-year-old aspiring photographer, began assisting Mr. Testino.There was nothing quite like getting to work for Mr. Testino, who that very year photographed 10 of the 12 covers of Vogue.

Mr. Testino was smart and charismatic, “the life of every party,” Mr. Hartas said. But it came with a downside.

“I worked for him for 15 months, and for 15 months I was harassed. It never stopped,” Mr. Hartas said. Most mornings Mr. Testino was in New York, Mr. Hartas said that he would pick up Mr. Testino at his apartment building on Bond Street and drive him to set in a Range Rover.

“Every day he would sit in the front and try to grab my” genitals, Mr. Hartas said. “He would ask, ‘Are you straight or are you gay?’ I’d say, ‘Straight,’ and he’d say, ‘No, you have to be nothing. If you’re nothing, you can be everything. The second you label yourself, you limit yourself.’ He would say, ‘Maybe you can come to London and Paris?’”
Mr. Hartas recalled, “It was like there was this lifestyle he’d welcome you into if you gave him what he wants.”

One morning that spring, Mr. Hartas and Mr. Testino were on their way to photograph Sarah Jessica Parker for the August cover of Vogue. According to Mr. Hartas, Mr. Testino was being particularly aggressive. Mr. Hartas asked him to stop fondling him.

He said he was told by Mr. Testino to wait in the car while Mr. Testino did his shoot, and was never booked to work with Mr. Testino again. Two longtime fashion industry professionals corroborated that Mr. Hartas began telling them he was being harassed months before he stopped working for Mr. Testino.

Entire article here: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/03/style/sexual-harassment-in-fashion.html?smid=tw-share

 

[Miss Dalloway]

Oh and forgot to include these accounts, once again, these guys are on the record, with their names, and full accounts. I mean WTF acts like this? What kinda grown man thinks behaviour like this is ok? EVER?!! He is no better than Harvey Weinstein, to me!!!!

In 2013, the photographer Edward Mulvihill started freelancing for Mr. Testino. “I’d been warned,” he said. “I’d heard the stories going into this. The rumors were all true.”

One of Mr. Mulvihill’s first tasks was traveling with Mr. Testino to Los Angeles, where they were shooting the fall 2013 campaign for Michael Kors and a new cover of Brazilian Vogue featuring Pamela Anderson. “It was kind of a joke among the crew that being the new guy traveling to Los Angeles, you had to stay in Mario’s house the first night, and that you’d better watch out,” Mr. Mulvihill said.

After dinner, Mr. Mulvihill returned to Mr. Testino’s home in the Hollywood Hills. Mr. Mulvihill said he was provided with his own room and his own bed, but “it was Mario trying to get me drunk, Mario trying to kiss me, and Mario trying to jump on me,” he said. “Later, we were riding in an elevator somewhere and he just shoved his hands down my pants and tried to finger me.” Mr. Mulvihill said he was offered full-time work, which he declined. (Like Mr. Hartas, Mr. Mulvihill referred The Times to people who said they were told of this back then, years before allegations against Mr. Testino became public.)

Both Mr. Mulvihill and Mr. Hartas said that they were coming forward about Mr. Testino’s behavior out of solidarity with the initial group of accusers. “I don’t want to see those brave men get discredited,” Mr. Hartas said.

This is just despicable, especially how he concludes that he questioned himself. Very common among victims.

In 2015, Mr. Testino was back in Los Angeles, and was introduced by an agent to a model named Kenny Sale at a bar.
Much like Mr. Hartas, Mr. Sale said he was also asked repeatedly that evening if was straight or gay. “He kept saying, ‘So, are you into guys?’ and I would say, ‘I have a girlfriend.’ He just brushed that off and said, ‘Maybe you should try something new. Maybe you’d like it.”


Later, Mr. Sale ended up in a bathroom with Mr. Testino. “He just pushes me up against the wall and sticks his tongue down my throat,” Mr. Sale said. “I’d never experienced anything like that. He pressed me up against the wall again, and that time his hand went down my pants, first in the front and then around the back. He used his hand to give me a ‘prostate exam.’”
Mr. Sale said he was asked to drive Mr. Testino home and didn’t know quite how to get out of it. “As I was driving, he unbuttoned my pants and grabbed my penis,” he said. “I guess I could have pulled over, but I had a white-hot feeling going down my spine and I was so embarrassed I didn’t know what to do.”


He still questions himself and said he was also coming forward now out of solidarity with the men who came before him, though he hadn’t met any of them. “I don’t want it to happen again,” he said.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/03/style/sexual-harassment-in-fashion.html?smid=tw-share

 

[KateTheGreatest]

^This is disgusting, I can't believe anyone would ever act this way.

 

[Benn98]

God, so Gan is more concerned with when this will 'blow over' so he can get back to his 90's era p*rno-lite Testino shoots? And can someone tell me how exactly Maria Grazia Chiuri, the self-appointed 'fashion feminist', knows what 'the truth' is that will come out soon? Maybe she moonlights as Templer's assistant and as such would've been present at each and every one of his shoots to know what his conduct is like. There's clearly a sensitivity chip missing here, and for me it's shocking because these two are creatively driven, not suits. Let's not even start with the accused men! It seems not one of them properly apologised to the accusers, that may be a legal directive? And Templer's was your classic example of a non-apology.

In short, I doubt it'll 'blow over' or 'settle.' This sort if thing happened in the past, but we've never had a follow-up feature like this from media outlets such as the NYT. It doesn't look like they're prepared to let this go either, which is good! This must wind up in court! Because the new accuser even went so far as to time-stamp his charges meaning it would be easy for others to corroborate the outline of his claim.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^ It's hard to imagine an attorney in his/her right mind advising Testino to talk this way.

I agree about Chiuri, and pretty ironic since she's sent all that 'feminist' gear down her runway. Does she understand what it means??

It really is time for the concept of model as coat hanger to go the way of the bustle.

 

[Deleted member 130879]

I agree about Chiuri, and pretty ironic since she's sent all that 'feminist' gear down her runway. Does she understand what it means??

She understands that it means money. That's all that matters and the only reason she made those shirts in the first place. It's disgusting and this attitude towards his outing is beyond that, it's sick.

She knows (well everyone in the industry knows) that many stylists lack empathy and use force (physical or verbal) towards the models. There is a very real problem with abuse by stylists towards models, from the simple body comment (as simple as saying that a part of her/his body is disgusting and should be covered) to forcefully removing clothing/dressing (sometimes because they want a certain piece to fit or worse).

I've seen it countless times. This happens.

 

[TREVOFASHIONISTO]

Makes me wonder if Gan has any stories of his own...

 

[FadeToBlack]

There is a certain male designer who's name I have not heard mentioned yet.. I'll wait.