World-renowned fashion photographers Mario Testino and Bruce Weber are the newest names to add to the (horrendously) long list of influential men who have abused their power and harassed others. The #MeToo and Time’s Up movements have picked up steam in the entertainment industry, but Testino and Weber’s sexual misconduct allegations are a brute reminder that this behavior is not just exclusive to Hollywood. In a recent New York Times expose, 28 former and current male models and assistants told of their disturbing experiences with Testino and Weber, describing the sexual harassment and coercion they endured.
15 of the male models who worked under Weber recounted their “private sessions” with him, where he urged them to undress and coerced them through “energy” exercises. These exercises were actually Weber’s attempts to touch the models inappropriately, guiding the models’ hands to wherever he desired, including private parts. One of the models, Robyn Sinclair, said in the New York Times report, “We [Sinclair and Weber] never had sex or anything, but a lot of things happened. A lot of touching. A lot of molestation.”
Meanwhile, 13 male models and assistants to Testino revealed that he tried to grope and masturbate to them on several occasions. Hugo Tillman, one of Testino’s former assistants, recalled Testino pushing him onto a bed and pinning him down without consent. Tillman managed to get out of the situation but soon quit his job a weekend after the incident, according to The New York Times.
Testino and Weber have photographed for international fashion brands such as Calvin Klein and Gucci for years, earning their titles as the best of the best to work with. As we’ve realized though, working with the most powerful men in any career field puts immense pressure on employees to follow orders, no matter how extreme. When men like Testino and Weber use their high stature to sexually molest those working for them, employees and clients are reluctant to defy them for fear of losing their jobs and/or ending their careers completely.
Many of the models who got the opportunity to work with Testino and Weber felt that they had to put up with the abuse since these photographers are so influential, and nailing a gig with them meant long-standing success. Also, many male models endure a number of disadvantages within the modeling industry, from lower pay to constant disrespect for their profession. So, in a rough industry like this, it makes sense why they’ll do what they can to keep their jobs.
With startlingly similar accounts between all 28 men, it seems extremely unlikely that they could be fabricating these allegations. However, Testino and Weber were quick to defend themselves.
“I’m completely shocked and saddened by the outrageous claims being made against me, which I absolutely deny,” Weber said in a statement from his lawyer. Testino went on to discredit his accusers, and also claimed that many of his former employees were “shocked by the allegations” as well and couldn’t confirm any of the models’ claims.
Many strong women continue to speak up about the ways they’ve been abused by men in power, but let’s not forget some of the men who have also faced horrific instances of sexual harassment as well. This issue goes way beyond any one industry, and while it’s continuously devastating to hear more and more horrific accounts like these, keeping the #MeToo Movement is what needs to be done to hold men like Testino and Weber accountable for their inexcusable actions.