The case of the designer Alexander Wang, accused of sexual violence, or the impossible #MeToo in fashion

Article originally published on April 22, 2022.

Alexander Wang, finished? She is over, she is going to end, maybe she is going to end … Ah no, on the contrary, she is starting again. It may seem like a bad game of the absurd, yet the fashion industry is really about to reopen the arms of this designer accused by different models of sexual violence.

I remember the events the day after his new show in Los Angeles with great fanfare and her influencer marketing activation campaign, including pregnant Rihanna.

Several models accused Alexander Wang of sexual assault

He was nicknamed the little prince of New York fashion but also of his night. Alexander Wang, now 38, launched his eponymous label in 2005 (at the age of 22), throwing the craziest after-parties after his shows, and has even been artistic director of the French house Balenciaga since 2012. to 2015, a sign of international recognition.

Alone, in the wake of #MeToo, several models and boys at the club, including many trans people, accuse Alexander Wang of acts dating back to at least 2017 of sexual assault.

First through TikTok videos, Instagram stories (in particular thanks to the @shitmodelmgmt account which shares several anonymous testimonials) and tweets, the accusations multiply and come together to form a dossier of at least 10 male actors, defended by the famous American lawyer Lisa Bloom since 2020… But without making a complaint.

In a press release addressed to New York Times and published on New Year 2020-2021, Alexander Wang denied these allegations, calling them lies ” unfounded and grotesquely false »:

“I have never shown the atrocious behavior described and I would never behave in the way that has been claimed. “

Neither he nor the plaintiffs’ attorney have since taken legal action, but the creator still hired two attorneys to defend him and stopped posting on his social media for six weeks, until New Year’s Eve. Lunar year on February 12, 2021, where the brand soberly wished its best wishes. On March 9, Alexander Wang published a much more delicate statement on Instagram, a sign of a change of strategy in the face of the growing affair. :

” I support their right to speak. A number of people have recently come forward to make allegations against me based on my past behavior. […] I listened carefully to what they had to say. It wasn’t easy for them to share their stories. I’m sorry the way I acted caused them pain. “

Alexander Wang has long exploited the excesses of parties, even the culture of rape

Only this apology letter, which isn’t one, rings hollow when you know what sulfurous reputation Alexander Wang and his brand have exploited. Several elements of the past have thus re-emerged. Like a video where singer Florence Welch talks about being drunk at a party with the designer she pretended to offer her water when she was vodka, and fashion journalist Derek Blasberg responding ” Yup, it’s his classic party move “.

Or this photo of bruised legs that the designer himself shared on his Instagram account in 2014 which he titled: ” Now is what I call a fun night “.

Or Alexander Wang’s spring-summer 2017 campaign with R. Kelly, a notorious sexual predator, even against minors.

So Alexander Wang tried to keep a low profile in 2021where plaintiffs’ attorney Lisa Bloom explained it the victims recognized Alexander Wang’s apology and now wanted to move on… A statement that is very reminiscent of what is said in the United States whenan amicable settlement could be negotiated by a large check that also buys silence with the help of a non-disclosure pact. But I guess.

Clear culture has never been in style

From 2022, therefore, Alexander Wang has slowly but surely closed his crossing of the desert. The brand has notably dressed several prominent celebrities, such as pregnant Rihanna or actress Julia Fox just as her relationship with Kanye West made her hyper-mediated.

In addition to these strategic placements, which are part of an influence marketing activation campaign, the designer just held a show in Los Angeles, in the Chinatown district, on April 19, 2022. Many celebrities were invited to attend this fifteen minute presentation.

The designer came to say hello at the end, to applaud, as is the tradition of the catwalks, but refused all requests for interviews and did not organize an after-party. Kim Kardashian also went there with a small Instagram story to talk about the show: sponsored content undoubtedly at a high price, since the reality star was not even present at the event.

As for redeem a virtue, a limited edition T-shirt was sold for the benefit of a neighborhood conservation association, Chinatown Corporation. And she paraded the model Adriana Lima, pregnant with her up to her eyes in an outfit that allowed a good glimpse of her belly. Because What’s better than a child to come and represent innocence and claim it?

From there to say ita #MeToo trend cannot take placeas the cases of Mario Testino, Bruce Weber, Terry Richardson and Gérald Marie have recently shown, are few Social media posts lost in memoryless streams.

Front page photo credit: YouTube screenshot of Alexander Wang’s official channel.