Heads are already rolling.
With the #MeToo movement shedding light on a range of appalling sexual harassment cases in Hollywood, victims in other industries have felt supported enough to become vocal about their own troubling experiences.
The fashion industry has been no different, with The New York Times (key in the Harvey Weinstein exposé) leading the charge with a recent article addressing the alleged behaviour of highly regarded fashion photographers Mario Testino and Bruce Weber.
Kendall Jenner and Mario Testino.
Both photographers have been called out on multiple accounts of alleged sexual harassment by several male models who have come forward and spoken out against them in the Times.
What makes this revelation so appalling is that both are widely beloved and have been highly regarded in the industry for decades, as regular faces within fashion’s inner circle. Combined, they’ve shot too many magazine covers and fashion campaigns to count and have worked with a range of famous actors and models including Zendaya, Gigi Hadid and Taylor Hill.
While both photographers have denied the allegations, publisher Condé Nast and designers like Michael Kors, Stuart Weitzman, Burberry and Ralph Lauren have cut all ties with the two photographers faster than a Gucci belt will sell out.
In light of the allegations, Vogue editor-in-chief—and legend in her own right—Anna Wintour released a statement on Vogue.com informing that a new code of conduct has been released for contributors that aims to protect the rights of models. And quite frankly, it’s about damn time!
Wintour states the the claims of sexual harassment against Testino and Weber have “been hard to hear and heartbreaking to confront. Both are personal friends of mine who have made extraordinary contributions to Vogue.”
She goes on further to say, “I believe strongly in the value of remorse and forgiveness, but I take the allegations very seriously and we at Condé Nast have decided to put our working relationship with both photographers on hold for the foreseeable future.”
We can’t help but feel that whether the allegations prove to be founded or not, the new code of conduct can be nothing but a good thing for the future of fashion.
