MALE models and assistants who worked with high-powered fashion photographers Bruce Weber and Mario Testino say they were subjected by them to molestation, sexual advances and unnecessary nudity, The New York Times reported on Saturday (January 13).
In patterns that went on for years, the young men, including some who were given anonymity, said the photographers put them in uncomfortable sexual situations that they felt pressured to accept out of fear of upending their careers, The Times said.
"We never had sex or anything, but a lot of things happened. A lot of touching. A lot of molestation," the Times quoted model Robyn Sinclair as saying of Weber.
Sinclair was among 15 current and former male models whom the newspaper said described harassment by Weber, 71, whose fashion clients have included Calvin Klein and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Lawyers for both photographers denied the allegations and said that the pair was surprised and dismayed by them.
Through his lawyers, Weber denied the accusations in a statement to The Times, saying: "I'm completely shocked and saddened by the outrageous claims being made against me, which I absolutely deny."
Allegations against Testino, 63, who has worked for fashion brands including Michael Kors, Burberry and Dolce & Gabbana, were made by 13 male assistants and models in accounts going back to the mid-1990s, the newspaper said.
Testino's law firm, Lavely & Singer, challenged the credibility of his accusers and said it had spoken to former employees of Testino who said they were shocked by the allegations and could not confirm any of them, The Times said.
Multiple accusations of sexual misconduct against male actors, filmmakers and agents have roiled Hollywood since October 2017.
The scandal has also engulfed men in U.S. politics, business and the workplace, inspiring a widespread #MeToo social movement by victims of sexual harassment or abuse.
Following The Times' report, Conde Nast artistic director Anna Wintour said the magazine company had suspended any future work with the two photographers, whom she described as personal friends.
"I believe strongly in the value of remorse and forgiveness, but I take the allegations very seriously, and we at Conde Nast have decided to put our working relationship with both photographers on hold for the foreseeable future," Wintour, who is also editor in chief of Vogue magazine, said in a statement.
Reuters
Tue Jan 16 2018
Male models and assistants who worked with high-powered fashion photographers Bruce Weber and Mario Testino say they were subjected by them to molestation, sexual advances and unnecessary nudity, NYT reported on Saturday. - Photo Reuters
Remaja mati lemas ketika mandi bersama rakan
Seorang remaja lelaki berusia 17 tahun mati lemas ketika mandi-manda bersama rakannya di kawasan pam pasir Kampung Bagan, Pulai Chondong di sini semalam.
Menteri Luar Iran bincang penyelesaian krisis Gaza dengan Setiausaha Agung PBB
Dalam perbincangannya dengan pegawai PBB, menteri itu menegaskan pendirian Iran bahawa meningkatkan lagi konflik ini tidak memanfaatkan pihak terlibat.
Institusi pendidikan bawah KPM perlu patuhi garis panduan anjur aktiviti luar
Kementerian Pendidikan (KPM) meminta semua institusi pendidikan di bawah kementerian itu untuk sentiasa mematuhi garis panduan penganjuran aktiviti luar bilik darjah.
Kerajaan Madani komited tambah baik infrastruktur di Sabah - PM
Kerajaan Madani akan menoktahkan kesengsaraan yang dialami rakyat terutama di Sabah khususnya dari segi kemiskinan sosioekonomi.
Fokus Minggu Depan: Perang Iran-Israel: Perkembangan seterusnya?
Ikuti kupasan Pengarah Institut Kecemerlangan Pengajian Baitulmaqdis (IEIJS), UUM, Prof. Madya Dr. Aminurraasyid Yatiban mengenai perkembangan perang Israel-Iran yang ketika ini menggegarkan Asia Barat.
Data sekolah di Singapura diceroboh
Kementerian Pendidikan semalam mengesahkan berlaku pelanggaran data di salah satu vendornya mengakibatkan 'akses tidak dibenarkan' bagi nama dan alamat e-mel ibu bapa dan kakitangan lima sekolah rendah dan 122 sekolah menengah.
87 maut, 82 cedera akibat hujan lebat berterusan di Pakistan
Sekurang-kurangnya 87 orang maut dan 82 yang lain cedera dalam insiden dicetuskan hujan di Pakistan sejak minggu lalu ketika hujan lebat terus melanda beberapa bahagian negara itu, kata Pihak Berkuasa Pengurusan Bencana Kebangsaan (NDMA), semalam.
Pertempuran sengit paksa 200 orang lari ke Thailand
Pertempuran bertambah sengit di sempadan timur Myanmar dengan Thailand hari ini, memaksa kira-kira 200 orang awam melarikan diri ketika pemberontak mengusir tentera junta yang bersembunyi di lintasan sempadan jambatan.
Liga Hoki Selangor TNB-QNET kembali dipertandingkan tahun ini
Selepas lima tahun menyepi, Liga Hoki Selangor TNB-QNET (SHL) akan kembali dianjurkan bermula hari ini hingga 2 Jun depan dalam usaha mencungkil bakat baru sukan hoki di tanah air.
Bio-Home lancar stesen pengisian semula eco, yang pertama seumpamanya
Jenama pembersihan rumah mesra alam dari Lam Soon, Bio-Home, melancarkan stesen pengisian semula eco pertama, menandakan langkah penting komitmen dalam menangani isu sisa plastik.