4 More Male Models Allegations against Weber!

The allegations against Bruce Weber are mounting. In a new Business of Fashion report, four more male models say the photographer sexually harassed them during photo shoots. The allegations date as far back as 1982.

DJ Janney said that while on a break during a shoot in 1982, Weber asked him to undress first to his underwear, then completely nude. Weber said that the photos were to take to Calvin Klein.

Janney refused to get completely nude, and said he realized that the photos were for “[Weber’s] own use, and to show Calvin.” While on a shoot with his brother, Weber asked them to “pretend to be boyfriends” and Janney says they were subjected to verbal abuse when they refused. He believes Weber then “blacklisted” him from the industry.

In 2006, a fit model, Christopher Cates, said that Weber asked him to go into a guest room away from the crew. Cates said he was asked to completely undress and Weber inappropriately touched him and took photos.

Two years later, Alex Geerman says that Weber asked him to undress for “breathing exercises” and touched him around the genitals. Geerman said he was so upset at the time he left the shoot and told his mother, but now believes that Weber didn’t do anything wrong. “It took me years to figure out, it wasn’t a sexual thing,” Geerman told BoF. “It was an art thing.”

The final male model who spoke on the record to BoF was Ryan Vigilant, who said the photographer touched him inappropriately on a shoot in 2008.

Almost thirty male models and former assistants accused Bruce Weber and fellow photographer Mario Testino of sexual exploitation in a report from the New York Times published last week. Weber is also being sued by a model for sexual harassment. When asked for a statement for the new allegations against the photographer, a representative for Weber said he stood by his statement to the New York Times. In the statement, he called the claims “outrageous.”

“I have used common breathing exercises and professionally photographed thousands of nude models over my career, but never touched anyone inappropriately.”

On Saturday, The New York Times published an explosive exposé in which fifteen current and former male models and thirteen male assistants and models accused top fashion photographers Mario Testino and Bruce Weber, respectively, of sexual misconduct and abuse. Today, The Business of Fashion can reveal further allegations against Weber, stretching back to 1982, made by four new sources who spoke on the record and several others who spoke on condition of anonymity.

D.L. Janney, a former male model, who recently released a memoir called “Blacklisted,” which details his time in the industry, said that while on a break during a shoot for British Vogue in 1982, Weber asked him to strip down to his underwear for a photo he could take to Calvin Klein, whose campaigns Weber was shooting at the time. Janney was eager to comply until Weber asked him to get completely nude. According to Janney, Weber said that the photos would not be published anywhere and were for “his own use, and to show Calvin.”

When Janney refused, he said the photographer refused to speak with him for the rest of the day. On another occasion, Weber had hired both Janney and his brother for a shoot for GQ; Weber asked the two brothers to remove their shirts and, according to Janney, “pretend to be boyfriends.” When they refused, Janney said they were subject to verbal abuse. As outlined in his book, Janney believes that Weber “blacklisted” him from the industry shortly after, making it impossible for him to find work as a model.
Over two decades later, Christopher Cates, a fit model, said that while on set for a photoshoot at Weber’s Miami home in 2006, the photographer asked each model to join him alone in a guest bedroom upstairs, away from the rest of the crew. Cates said that when he entered the room, Weber asked him to remove his shirt and pants, and later his underwear, and then proceeded to touch him inappropriately. According to Cates, Weber took photos during the incident using a digital SLR camera, though those photos were, to Cates’ knowledge, never used for any professional purpose.

Alex Geerman, a former model, massage therapist and healer, said that in 2008, Weber asked him to do “breathing exercises” that involved non-consensual touching of the chakras, including the root chakra, which is located around the genitals. “I didn’t understand what he was doing, and he didn’t explain it,” recalled Geerman, who said he left the shoot so disturbed he told his mother, who was waiting outside the studio: “I don’t want to do this anymore.” Yet, Geerman said that although he was upset at the time, he no longer believes that Weber did anything wrong. “It took me years to figure out, it wasn't a sexual thing. It was an art thing,” said Geerman.

 

 Another model, Ryan Vigilant, said the photographer touched him inappropriately in a sexual manner during a shoot in 2008. Vigilant initially did not want to name Weber directly. However, after reading Weber’s statement in response to the New York Times story, he changed his mind. “The statements that Bruce and Mario, or should I say their lawyers made, pains me,” he wrote via email. “I don’t understand their denial. Either their sense of entitlement has so clouded their ethical judgement, it’s not based in reality anymore. Or they are going through so much pain internally and are destroying themselves.”

Jason Boyce, the model who recently filed suit in New York State Supreme Court against Weber and spoke to The New York Times, among others, said that Weber’s inappropriate behaviour was well-known within the industry though never explicitly stated. "Anytime you’d bring up Bruce it was always like, ‘Oh yeah he’s a little weird, he’s a little creepy, he does these weird breathing exercises,’” recalled Boyce. “That’s as far as anyone would talk about it. No one would ever fully-fledged say he assaulted me. It was always like a shrug it off, ‘Oh well, let’s not make this a big deal,’ as men do, ‘Let’s not make this a big deal.’”
The lawsuit also names Boyce’s agent, Jason Kanner, and his agency, Soul Artist Management. “We believe that he knew or should have known,” said Lisa Bloom, an attorney and founder of The Bloom Firm, which is representing Boyce, during a phone conversation in December.
Geerman said that while he believes agencies do provide certain protection against harassment, “When it comes to Bruce Weber, it was just this understanding like, look, he does this to everybody. So, it’s just kind of what you take from it, what you make from it. I definitely think a young person going to shoot with him, they don’t understand. I didn’t understand.”

Boyce said, "The culture was: you did what you were told. That was how they sold it. If you do what I tell you, you’ll make it. If you just do what I tell you. you'll make it. My agent told me that all the time."
Bloom said that since they filed suit, her law firm has been contacted by a large number of male models “who have claims against Bruce Weber and other powerful people in the industry.” Asked if others could join the suit, Bloom said she and her firm are vetting each claim, adding that the statute of limitations and the victims’ desire to remain anonymous, are the biggest hurdles. In New York, claims of sexual harassment must be filed within three years; in California, it’s as little as one year. “Many of them have very heartbreaking claims that seem very credible to me, but they’re simply time barred,” she said.
When asked for comment to these new allegations, a representative for Weber said he stood by his statement made to The New York Times: “I'm completely shocked and saddened by the outrageous claims being made against me, which I absolutely deny. I have used common breathing exercises and professionally photographed thousands of nude models over my career, but never touched anyone inappropriately. Given my life’s work, these twisted and untrue allegations are truly disheartening. I've been taking pictures for over 40 years and have the utmost respect for everyone I've ever photographed. I would never, ever, try to hurt anyone or prevent someone from succeeding — it’s just not in my character.”

Wanna be A Fashionista Cowboy?!

 
American culture, perhaps no image has left an impression as great as the cowboy. Hollywood legends such as John Wayne easily come to mind, but the fashion industry regularly reinvents the cowboy. The cowboy is a popular reference as the ideal figure possesses a rugged charm, the perfect physique, and an endearing nonchalance. Although the cowboy is not a fresh concept, it still holds a certain appeal. That is why men's fashion designers and editors revere the cowboy. Ultimately, the cowboy easily complements western motifs. You don't have to search far to find an interpretation of a cowboy in a fashion magazine.

From Milan to Paris Fashion Week, the cowboy image often reemerges. Brands such as Versace, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Balmain, and Philipp Plein have referenced the iconic figure. The designers' approach to the cowboy shows off his versatility. While Versace and Plein reworked the classic cowboy motif for an opulent fall outing, designers like Lim relied on the sensibility of the timeless western theme for confident essentials.

If you do not aspire to become a cowboy but still want to adopt the utterly cool cowboy style, here are our best pointers:
1. Denim on denim: Denim is a quintessential cowboy thing, so it is certainly the first item on the list you should take care of. Here is the caveat, though: Your denim shirt or jacket and your jeans should be in two different shades if you are shooting for that cowboy-chic look.

2. A good pair of boots: Like jeans, a pair of boots is essential. Invest in a nice pair of leather or suede boots, preferably the Chelsea style.
3. Some plaid shirts: A plaid shirt is a great option on days when you do not feel like wearing your denim shirt. Designers have given plaid shirts a major upgrade during the last few years, so they are now functional and fashionable.4. A leather jacket: If designer collections are of any indication, a tough leather jacket is definitely one component of the modern cowboy attire.
5. A high-crowned, wide-brimmed hat: The material can be fur felt or straw, but it is advisable to purchase a beautifully made one from designers to avoid the risk of looking like a ranch worker.
6. Your attitude: To truly pull off the cowboy look with aplomb, do not leave your confidence and relaxed attitude at home once you get dressed.

First time I met Bruce Weber was eight years ago. I still remember the initial exchange so vividly. I checked my email and there it was: the original casting from my agent at the time, labeled “by photographer’s special request.”

"I’m a Male Model, and I’m Coming Forward About Bruce Weber....."

by Parker Hurley

My experience with the famous fashion photographer was similar to that of many others.

I’d heard Weber called a “god” in the industry, a man who could make or break my career. I was a 23-year-old model, with a rough idea of who I was and what I was willing and unwilling to tolerate. I’d met and worked with other famous photographers before, but no one described as a “god.” The pressure was on from the start.

When I first spoke up about my experience with Bruce Weber and sexual harassment in the modeling industry, I chose to remain anonymous. I was scared — I’m still a working model, and until I could support myself as a writer and artist, I wasn’t willing to risk losing my main source of income.

And honestly, I was a victim of the pressure around what it means to be a man in today’s society. To have another man abuse his power and take advantage of you can feel like one of the most emasculating and stigmatizing experiences that a young man can have.

But when I saw Weber’s Instagram post denying the accusations brought against him by other male models, I knew it was time to speak out, leaning into the fear instead of running away from it. And I believe myself, and my fellow male models, would not have had the courage to come forward had it not been for the female heroes who started this movement.

"I  could feel him using his strength and used my own to resist him."

---

The casting took place at Weber’s studio, Little Bear, located in Tribeca. The entire space felt like a shrine to the man and his work, laid out like an old, rustic factory, assistants — mostly all young, attractive men — quietly moving about, carrying giant prints of Weber’s work. I’m an artist myself and thought it would be nice to bring Weber a piece of my own work — a print I had done during my BFA at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

Another 15 or so minutes went by before the woman who’d greeted me came back and told me Bruce was ready to see me. She walked me over to a large vintage freight elevator and told me he would be waiting for me at the top. This whole “god” description, partnered with a literal physical ascension to meet the man, caused warning bells to ring in my head.

Up went the elevator, opening into a beautiful space with vintage furniture and more of Weber’s work, featuring much more nudity that what I had seen on the floor below. He was seated on a couch, slowly got up, and walked over to greet me. He’s what I imagine Santa Claus would look like dressed for a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert. He had a kind face. I offered him the print I had brought for him. He thanked me and put it aside as he walked back over to living room-like set up of chairs and couches facing one another. He offered me a seat and then sat down across from me. There were some pleasantries — where are you from, how long have been modeling, etc. — that probably lasted only a few minutes.

Weber then leaned forward and told me he wanted to do a breathing exercise with me. Our knees were almost touching as he began to describe what was about to happen. He explained that energy was going to build between us, a gauge that would be used to determine if we could work together or not.

I remember him asking me if I felt it, the energy. I nervously laughed, unsure of what to do or say. He then took my hand from my lap and held it out in front of me, and did the same with his own. He placed his hand under mine and told me that I was going to move his hand around until the energy came to a climax. He began to move his hand in a circle, as I tried to follow. At the “climax,” I would then bring his hand to my body where I felt the energy most.

Spiral spiral spiral goes the hand… then, very suddenly, he began to bring it toward me, directly down to my crotch. Instinctively, my hand forced his hand up so it landed somewhere on my lower abdomen, an inch or so above the waistband of my jeans, the fingers of his hand seeking the skin underneath my shirt.

I forcibly held his hand in place as he tried to slide it down my belly. I could feel him using his strength and used my own to resist him. He looked at me very intensely, and when it became clear that I wasn’t going to let him move his hand any further down my body, he said something about my “potential,” thanked me for my time, stood up, and guided me to the elevator.

I left feeling very confused and continued to replay the experience over and over in my head for years, up until the next time I met him, three years later. During this second experience, I had a different agency and there were several other models around. Weber walked through the casting not long after I arrived and said hello to me. His kind eyes and smile didn’t change the uneasy feeling in my gut, like I was being tested again, this time without the hands, just the space between us too close for comfort. I quickly turned my eyes away from him.

Weber then turned to a model who was immersed in his phone, and asked him to follow him into a private room. I didn’t see either of them for the rest of the casting.

Again, I left confused, this time wondering if by simply averting my eyes from his, I had blown an opportunity to work with him in the future. Both experiences played over in my mind for years; I contemplated whether or not my career would have been more “successful” had I allowed this man to “control the energy” between us.

I don’t feel broken from my experience, despite how much time and energy I spent wondering “what if.” And I know that I am one of the lucky ones. Male models are an expendable cog in the hyper-judgmental wheel that is the fashion industry. We are paid far less than female models, which creates a heavier sense of desperation to “make it.”

I often think about young guys, 15, 16, 17 years old, coming to New York City for the first time, being thrown into situations with promises of fame and glory. It’s our job to be judged — on our bodies, our sexuality, and how likable we are. This can be a challenge for anyone, especially those dealing with self-esteem issues, which have plagued me and, I believe, anyone working toward society’s idea of perfection.

There has always been a gray line between what is acceptable and what is not, and many of these young men have no idea how to navigate that line until they are thrown, often literally naked and afraid, into the lion’s den. From my experience, the more famous a photographer is, the more power he is given — by agents, by media, by anyone within the industry and beyond. This cycle has been perpetuated for far too long, beginning at the top of the ladder, with white men of power covering each others’ tracks, continuing to believe they are untouchable.

Where there is power, there will be an abuse of power. The female heroes of our world have given us the lens, and they’re forcing us to focus it on the dirt that has been hiding in plain sight, right underneath our noses. The courage of these heroines sparked the fire that only burns brighter and brighter as each new voice comes forward, striving to create a world where every human can feel safe, respected, and seen.

Nick Jonas confessed!

Nick Jonas has confessed that he’s had sex with a man following years of rumours about his sexuality. The Christian singer, and youngest of the three famous brothers, is known as a bit of a ladies’ man who’s been seeing Kate Hudson and Lily Collins recently. But the 23-year-old has said that the sex scene for his recent movie Kingdom saw him ‘technically’ do it with a man. He told The Sun: ‘On Kingdom I have a sex scene with a guy. It is always this thing: have I, has Nick? No. But it’s my lips, it’s my hands, it’s my body, even if I’m playing a character.So technically I have done that, so I wouldn’t say I haven’t, because that would be lying.’

Nick Jonas says he’s now

‘technically’ slept with a dude!

Er… Nick? Are you sure? 
‘But as me, Nick, I am very open about who I am and that I have nothing to prove,’ he continued. ‘I know what I am, I’ve been honest about that.’ We’re not entirely sure whether this gets to the bottom of Nick’s sexuality or not. He is a gay icon and has played gay men several times, most recently in US TV show Kingdom – but he may be getting a little confused about what exactly constitutes gay sex.

After all, we’re pretty sure shooting sex scenes is pretty nonsexual (unless you’re working for Lars Von Trier or the like). Did someone let their imagination run away with them a little?