|
 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.
Lawyers for both photographers denied the allegations and said
that the pair was surprised and dismayed by them. Neither Weber,
Testino nor their accusers could immediately be reached for
further comment.
"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.
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."
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.
[to top of second column] |
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.
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.
(Reporting by Peter Szekely; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Sandra
Maler)
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