The fashion and model world is apparently facing its very own # MeToo debate: In a detailed article called "Angel in Hell", "The New York Times" speaks of a "culture of misogyny, tyranny and harassment" behind the doors the fashion brand. This emerges from over 30 interviews that the US newspaper has conducted with models, employees and former employees.
One name was mentioned particularly often: Ed Razek (71), who recently abdicated as President and Head of Marketing of the parent company L Brands. As the right hand of company boss Les Wexner (82), he tried to kiss models, told them to sit on his lap or even grabbed their crotch. According to the report, all of this was done in Wexner's knowledge, who did not punish Razek's behavior, but endorsed it.
Instead, sanctions were given to those people who had the courage to report Razek's machinations. For example, model Andi Muise (33) of "Victoria's Secret" suddenly stopped being hired after she, at the age of 19, did not return Razek's advances. The now 71-year-old is said to have even asked her to move in with him in 2007. "The abuse was laughed at and dismissed as normal. It was like brainwashing," a former company PR official is quoted as saying: "And anyone who wanted to do something about it was not just ignored. They were punished."
Connections to Jeffrey Epstein
The most famous name mentioned in the wake of the massive accusations on the part of the victims is Bella Hadid (23). He watched Razek try on in 2018 and, according to several witnesses, asked him not to put on his underpants. Then he let go of a suggestive saying about her cleavage.
Last year it became known that company boss Wexner was very close friends with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein (1953-2019). According to the "New York Times", he not only took care of the billions of Mister "Victoria's Secret", but is also said to have pretended to be an employee of the label.
He lured young women into the trap with the prospect of being allowed to hover as an angel: "It felt like a casting for prostitution. It felt like I was in hell," said an unknown woman last summer in the Epstein process. Now it is said that Wexner was informed about Epstein's reprehensible approach as early as the mid-1990s – without taking any action.