Models Pen Open Letter Demanding Victoria’s Secret ‘Change Its Culture Of Misogyny & Abuse
After years of alleged mistreatment, models are officially declaring war against Victoria’s Secret.
Many of the industry’s biggest stars, including Christy Turlington Burns, Amber Valletta, Edie Campbell, Caitriona Balfe, and Amanda de Cadenet have banded together to form The Model Alliance, and they’re demanding Victoria’s Secret change its ways.
In an open letter on its website, which was addressed to the brand’s Chief Executive Officer, John Mehas, the Model Alliance states:
“The Model Alliance believes in safety, freedom to work without fear of harassment, and real consequences for abusers.”
According to a new report from The New York Times, the company has a dark history of “misogyny, bullying, and harassment,” and regularly lets abusers go unpunished.
The outlet reported that Ed Razek, one of the top executives at L Brands (the parent company of VS), has had multiple complaints about his inappropriate conduct, claiming:
“He tried to kiss models. He asked them to sit on his lap. He touched one’s crotch ahead of the 2018 Victoria’s Secret fashion show.”
The paper interviewed more than 30 current and former executives, employees, contractors, and models for its report — as well as “court filings and other documents.”
The Model Alliance describes the company culture to be just as toxic in its letter, which states:
“Victoria’s Secret’s failure to create an environment of accountability, both in-house and in their interactions with a network of agencies and creatives, undermines these values. We envision an industry in which creative expression flourishes and everyone can work without fear of harassment or abuse. This is why we launched the RESPECT Program, and are again urging Victoria’s Secret to join us in creating a safer, more equitable fashion industry.“
Sounds reasonable, no?
Well, believe it or not, a company built on exploiting and objectifying women isn’t readily willing to listen to the women it profits off of — at least not according to said women.
Apparently, this isn’t the first time the Model Alliance has tried to change the company culture. The letter continued:
“The Model Alliance met with L Brands/Victoria’s Secret five months ago and proposed that the company take concrete action to change its culture of misogyny and abuse. The company refused to act. L Brands/Victoria’s Secret declined to make binding commitments to protect models and other workers from harassment by joining the RESPECT Program.”
Ugh, so frustrating!
The Alliance also claimed Victoria’s Secret didn’t take “complaints seriously,” noting:
“When the Model Alliance met with Tammy Roberts Myers, Chief Communications Officer of L Brands in New York City last September, it was made abundantly clear that Victoria’s Secret does not take these complaints seriously. In a follow-up email she told us that Victoria’s Secret was not ready to take any concrete steps towards addressing these allegations – rather, the company is simply, ‘in the process of continued learning and listening.’ In the face of the horrifying revelations from the past year, this response is utterly unacceptable.”
Calling for immediate change, the organization concluded:
“The time for listening is long past; it’s time for Victoria’s Secret to take action to protect the people they profit from. Human rights violations can’t be stopped with a corporate rebranding exercise. We invite Victoria’s Secret to work together with us to address these problems and to engage in meaningful action by joining the RESPECT Program… We stand with the courageous women who have come forward and shared their stories, despite fears of retaliation or harm to their careers.”
Now, L Brands has seemingly changed its tune.
A spokesperson for the company responded to the models’ letter in a statement to Bloomberg, sharing:
“We absolutely share a common goal with Model Alliance to ensure the safety and well-being of models. Our robust Photo Shoot Procedures, including training and oversight, were implemented in May 2019.”
The rep said that these practices “reflect elements of the Model Alliance program,” adding that the company is “proud of the progress” they’ve made and are “always open to engage with those looking to make improvements in the industry.”
Sounds like they need to improve faster, because Victoria’s Secret is not-so-secretly becoming the joke of the industry.
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