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Posts Tagged ‘sexual’

Condé Nast has cut ties with Mario Testino and Bruce Weber amid sexual misconduct allegations

16 Jan

Left: Mario Testino by Walterlan Papetti, CC-BY-SA-4.0

Right: Bruce Weber by Christopher Macsurak, CC-BY-2.0

A shocking report published by the New York Times this past Saturday shares a slew of sexual misconduct allegations against iconic fashion photographers Bruce Weber and Mario Testino. The allegations, which both photographers categorically deny, have already convinced Condé Nast to sever ties with Testino and Weber “for the foreseeable future”, and come just as the publisher is finalizing a new Code of Conduct.

Allegations Against Two Fashion Industry Giants

The Times article quotes former assistants and current and former male models who shared sometimes graphic harassment and molestation stories of their photo shoots with Testino and Weber. In light of these allegations, Condé Nast has promised not to commission any new work from either Weber or Testino. The official statement by both Anna Wintour, artistic director of Condé Nast and editor of Vogue, and Bob Sauerberg, CEO of Condé Nast, reads:

We are deeply disturbed by these accusations and take this very seriously. In light of these allegations, we will not be commissioning any new work with Bruce Weber and Mario Testino for the foreseeable future.

Both Weber and Testino vehemently deny the accusations. Weber told the Times in a statement that he is, “completely shocked and saddened by the outrageous claims being made against me, which I absolutely deny,” while Testino’s lawyers “objected to the allegations and called the credibility of the men who said they were harassed into question,” according to the Times.

A New Code of Conduct at Condé Nast

In addition to cutting ties with the two fashion photographers, Condé Nast also announced a new code of conduct today. The code, which the publisher began working on after cutting ties with photographer Terry Richardson—is meant to protect models from sexual harassment and workplace abuse, and will go into effect at the end of the month.

Bob Sauerberg, CEO of Condé Nast, revealed a few of the new “guidelines for vendors” who plan to work with the publisher in the future:

  1. All models appearing in fashion shoots must be at least 18 years old. The only exceptions that will be made are for subjects appearing as themselves as part of a profile or news story, who will be required to have a chaperone with them on set at all times.
  2. Alcohol is no longer allowed on Condé Nast sets. Recreational drugs are also not allowed.
  3. Photographers are no longer permitted to use a Condé Nast set for any work that is not commissioned or approved by Condé Nast.
  4. Any shoot involving nudity, sheer clothing, lingerie, swimwear, simulated drug or alcohol use, or sexually suggestive poses must be approved in advance by the subject.

Sauerberg expects to release the full code of conduct by the end of the month, at which point he hopes “our colleagues and partners will adopt these or similar recommendations so that each of us involved in the creative process does our part to help ensure a safe and respectful work environment.”

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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NYPD investigating Terry Richardson over sexual assault accusations

04 Jan
Photo by Christopher Macsurak (cc-by-2.0)

Fashion industry photographer Terry Richardson is reportedly the subject of an ongoing NYPD investigation following multiple accusations of sexual assault. According to the NY Daily News, two former models and a Model Alliance representative confirmed that they have been approached by law enforcement as part of the investigation.

According to the report, NYPD Special Victims division detectives have spoken with former models Caron Bernstein and Lindsay Jones about their alleged encounters with Richardson. Both have previously accused Richardson of sexual assault, similar accusations to which have been made by some other women who have worked with Richardson over the years.

Richardson has long denied the accusations against him, and yet he has continued to face increased scrutiny following an editorial published by The Times in October 2017. The article claimed, among other things, that the photographer has a “reputation as the Harvey Weinstein of fashion.” Days later, a leaked email revealed that Condé Nast had ordered its publications to blacklist Richardson.

A representative of Richardson’s had issued a statement to HuffPost back in October about the Condé Nast email and the accusations in general, saying:

Terry is disappointed to hear about this email especially because he has previously addressed these old stories. He is an artist who has been known for his sexually explicit work so many of his professional interactions with subjects were sexual and explicit in nature but all of the subjects of his work participated consensually.

In a more recent statement to the NY Daily News, Bernstein shot down Richardson’s claims of innocence, saying, “I didn’t know this man from Adam. I would never walk in somewhere and agree to a sex act with a stranger. I’ve never done that in my entire life. Never in a million years.”

Neither the NYPD nor Richardson have commented on the NY Daily News report at this time.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Photographer Bill Frakes loses university position after sexual harassment report

12 Aug

Photographer Bill Frakes, whose career has included shooting for the likes of Sports Illustrated and Coca-Cola, has been removed from his position as visiting professor at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. The decision was made by the university after it judged that a report claiming sexual harassment against Frakes was credible. News of the allegations first surfaced in documents obtained by The World-Herald.

University of Nebraska spokesman Steve Smith confirmed the report to PDN, saying Frakes was originally appointed to teach through the Fall semester, but that following the university’s decision, “Prof. Frakes is not teaching any courses at Nebraska this Fall.” Additional details weren’t provided for the sake of privacy.

The matter revolves around a report filed by student Calla Kessler. According to those who have viewed the leaked documents, Frakes was accused of violating university sexual harassment policies by commenting on female students’ bodies and clothing, as well as calling female editors “bit***s” and browsing photos of “scantily clad” women using his phone while in a car that contained female students. His actions are said to have only applied to women, not men.

In addition, Frakes was accused of making threats to students that included the ability to “end their careers” and advising that students shouldn’t “piss [him] off.” The university reportedly corroborated the accusations with other witnesses to these alleged actions and statements. Following the investigation, UNL decided to remove Frakes from his role as visiting professor.

For his part, Frakes has remained silent on the matter, stating the confidential nature of the proceedings. “The final hearing has not taken place,” he told PDN. “The university has directed the process be confidential, and I intend to honor that request.” Though he didn’t offer any further statements on the matter, he did reveal that he is appealing the university’s decision.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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