Alexander Wang denies allegations of sexual assault as accusers hire lawyer Lisa Bloom and launch ‘#UsToo’ movement
Alexander Wang has denied allegations of sexual assault against him as it’s revealed that his accusers have hired Lisa Bloom to represent them.
The allegations emerged on social media after the fashion industry’s watchdog account, @dietprada, and the account @shitmodelmgmt, began sharing multiple claims made by models against the American fashion designer.
On Monday, Wang responded to the “baseless allegations” in a statement shared on his Instagram account in which he described the claims as “false, fabricated, and mostly anonymous”.
Wang continued: “I have never taken advantage of others in a sexual manner or forced anything on anyone without consent.”
He added that his team “is doing everything in its power to investigate these claims” and promised followers to “remain honest and transparent” throughout the process.
The fashion designer is one of the most revered names within the industry and boasts a significant celebrity following, having designed red carpet looks for Bella Hadid, Dua Lipa and more.
The claims started after a post by @shitmodelmgmt described Wang as an “alleged sexual predator” and claimed that “many male and trans models” had shared accusations of sexual misconduct with them.
“It is important to show your support to these victims by unfollowing Alexander Wang and boycotting his clothing line,” the post read.
Since then, both @dietprada and @shitmodelmgmt have shared multiple allegations of sexual assault and harassment sent to them by mostly anonymous sources.
It’s not clear how many models have made allegations against Wang at this stage.
However, it has been revealed that those who have accused Wang of sexual harassment and assault are taking legal action against him.
Bloom has represented several sexual assault survivors in high-profile cases, such as those attached to Jeffrey Epstein.
The lawyer also represented Harvey Weinstein, who was sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and sexual assault last year.
In a statement to Vogue about representing those making claims against Wang, Bloom said: "The fashion industry is long overdue for a reckoning of its frequent, disturbing mistreatment of models.
"I’ve represented many alleging sexual misconduct in recent years, including against Paul Marciano, Bruce Weber, and others. Models are not props, and they have the same rights to workplace respect as everyone else.”
One of the models making allegations against Wang is Owen Mooney, who shared a TikTok video recounting his 2017 experience with Wang while at a club in New York City, where he claimed that the designer groped him in the crowd.
Although he did not initially identify Wang, referring to him only as a “really famous fashion designer,” Mooney’s TikTok video was soon attached to him.
Mooney, who has urged others with allegations against Wang to get in touch with Bloom, has since issued a statement calling for a new social media movement in light of the allegations.
“In an era of #MeToo and the solidarity victims received from Hollywood, where is the same support for the victims of Wang? This is why so many accusations get brushed under the rug, along with other accusations of prominent figures in fashion for that matter,” he wrote in an Instagram post.
Mooney continued: "I can’t help but question if this has something to do with this being about men, queer and trans people? Does the ideology that we are not victims of sexual assault exist? What would be the response if a world renowned fashion designer was drugging and sexually assaulting cis women?
“Well we’ve seen it happen, with #MeToo. How about #UsToo? Because there is no shame in coming forward and pointing to your assaulter. We need to be taken more seriously, this happens to us too and the response should be equal.”
Speaking to The Independent, Mooney added: "There were so many people in Hollywood who tirelessly advocated for the #MeToo movement, which was truly incredible, but these same people are now turning a blind eye to the current allegations.
"The response to the message of #UsToo has been enlightening, it’s clear that people are shocked and disappointed in the zero support from people in Hollywood and fashion. These people are idolised by so many, so when they pick and choose their activism, it’s very disheartening."
The #UsToo hashtag was first used in November 2017 by lawyer and author Sophia Nelson as a way of expanding #MeToo conversations to be more racially inclusive.
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