Los Angeles, Jan 14 (PTI) Mario Testino and Bruce Weberhave been suspended by various fashion magazines, includingVogue, after models accused the top fashion photographers ofsexually exploiting them.
In a New York Times expose, 15 current and former malemodels who worked with Weber, described a pattern of what theysaid was "unnecessary nudity and coercive sexual behaviour,often during photo shoots".
The men said, during the private sessions, Weber askedthem to undress and led them through breathing and "energy"exercises. According to the models, they were asked to breatheand to touch both themselves and Weber, moving their handswherever they felt their "energy.""I remember him putting his fingers in my mouth, and himgrabbing my privates. We never had sex or anything, but a lotof things happened. A lot of touching. A lot of molestation,"said model Robyn Sinclair.
In incidents going back to the mid-1990s, 13 maleassistants and models, who have worked with Testino, told thepublication that he subjected them to sexual advances, whichin some cases included groping and masturbation.
Ryan Locke, a model who worked with Testino on Guccicampaigns, described him as a "sexual predator".
Representatives for both photographers denied theallegations and said they were shocked by the claims.
"I'm completely shocked and saddened by the outrageousclaims being made against me, which I absolutely deny," Webersaid in a statement from his lawyer.
Lavely & Singer, a law firm that represents Testino,questioned the credibility of people who complained ofharassment, and also wrote that it had spoken to severalformer employees who were "shocked by the allegations" andthat they "could not confirm any of the claims."Testino, a favourite of the English royal family andVogue, was the man who immortalised the engagement of PrinceWilliam and Kate Middleton. In 2014, he received an OBE.
He recently photographed the February cover of Vogue,featuring Serena Williams and her daughter.
Vogue publisher Conde Nast said it would not work withthe photographers "for the foreseeable future".
Artistic director Anna Wintour, who is also Vogue'seditor-in-chief, said in a statement that the claims had "beenhard to hear and heartbreaking to confront".
In a separate statement, Wintour and Conde Naste chiefBob Sauerberg also said they were "deeply disturbed" by theaccusations. PTI SHDSHD.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.