The organization, which works to “promote fair treatment, equal opportunity and sustainable practices in the fashion industry,” according to itsmission statement, shared the letter on Instagram, saying it stands in solidarity with theTime’s Up movement.
“We are writing today to express our concern for the safety and wellbeing of the models and young women who aspire to model for Victoria’s Secret,” the letter addressed to Victoria’s Secret CEO John Mehas, began. “In the past few weeks, we have heard numerous allegations of sexual assault, alleged rape and sex trafficking of models and aspiring models. While those allegations may not have been aimed at Victoria’s Secret directly, it is clear that your company has a crucial role to play in remedying the situation.”
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Emek, Bellemere, and Kadel did not immediately respond to People’s request for comment.
Over the past few weeks reports linking Epstein, a convicted sex offender, to Victoria’s Secret have resurfaced.
According toThe New York Times, Epstein reportedly posed as a VS model scout on many occasions used the fake title to lure a woman to his hotel room and assault her. Founder and CEO of L Brands, Les Wexner, was also known to have a personal and professional relationship with Epstein over the years.
So far, models like Doutzen Kroes, Christy Turlington, Milla Jovovich and Iskra Lawrence signed the petition to stand in solidarity with The Model’s Alliance’s mission.
Victoria’s Secret issued the following statement to PEOPLE in response to The Model Alliance’s letter. “We are always concerned about the welfare of our models and want to continue to have dialogue with the Model Alliance and others to accomplish meaningful progress in the industry,” a representative from the brand tells PEOPLE.
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She continued: “They are already firing photographers that their models complain about. If you actually want to protect models against sexual harassment go after the agents and agencies! Cause they are the main reason models get harassed!!!”
Ribeiro, a VS Fashion Show regular since 2010, echoed Sampaio’s sentiment.
“This is so unfair! When I told them about my experience with David B. next day he was fired! They are the most respectful brand I EVER worked with,” she wrote.
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Riberio added: “When we shot in the cold they would take their jackets off so we weren’t the only ones in the cold, this Timur guy did backstage pics and never really had any abusive behavior around the angels, he was just using the VS name so he could get what he wanted. I think you guys need to get the histories straight first before accuse anybody!”
The Model Alliance’s petition comes days after L Brands' (the parent company of Victoria’s Secret) longtime Chief Marketing Officer Ed Razek stepped down from his position.
In a letter sent to L Brands associates on Monday, Razek announced his retirement. “With the exception of Les, I’ve been with L Brands longer than anyone. I’ve loved every minute of it, and every one of you. I’ve appreciated your partnership, your energy, your teamwork, and your enthusiasm. You are, every one of you, a joy to work with, and a joy to be with. The best partners anyone could ever hope for. And I’ve loved coming to work here, every single day, for many, many years,” Razek wrote. “But all good things must and do, inevitably, come to an end.”
“A few weeks ago, I shared with Les my desire to retire sometime around mid August. It was a tough conversation to have because, as some of you must know, we have shared so much together for so many years. Including a deep love of this business. Still, it’s time.”
Razek and Victoria’s Secret came under fire last year after the executive said he could never imagine welcoming trans or curvy models on walking on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
“Shouldn’t you have transsexuals in the show? No. No, I don’t think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy. It’s a 42-minute entertainment special,” Razek said in an interview withVogue.
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He added that inviting plus-size models to participate the show isn’t something Victoria’s Secret plans to do in the future, since “no one had any interest in it” when they pursued the idea in 2000.
“My remark regarding the inclusion of transgender models in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show came across as insensitive. I apologize,” Razek said. “To be clear, we absolutely would cast a transgender model for the show. We’ve had transgender models come to casting… And like many others, they didn’t make it…But it was never about gender. I admire and respect their journey to embrace who they really are.”
source: people.com
