Sex, drugs and—FASHION? Fashion photographer, Terry Richardson, is being accused of being a sexual predator and now, it seems, everyone’s behind the lens taking a shot at him. Sex scandals in any industry does not serve as a surprise when those in high positions abuse their power to the fullest extent. Richardson is in the spotlight and being flashed at right back. Two models by the name of Rie Rasmussen and Jamie Peck have come forth complaining about Richardson being unable to keep his pecker in his pants during shoots. Rasmussen tells the NY Post, “He takes girls who are young, manipulates them to take their clothes off and takes pictures of them they will be ashamed of. They are too afraid to say no because their agency booked them on the job and are too young to stand up for themselves….His ‘look’ is girls who appear underage, abused, look like heroin addicts . . . I don’t understand how anyone works with him….I told him, “what you do is completely degrading to women.”
Peck who has also worked with the fame photog added fuel to the fire. She writes, “I modeled for Terry Richardson when I was 19. And guess what? I felt bad about it. Of all the fine folks I’ve frolicked au naturel for, he’s the only one who’s left me feeling like I needed to take two showers.” She continues, “He spoke in the effeminate tones of someone trying very hard not to come off as sexually threatening despite the fact that he was basically walking around in a hipster pedophile costume. I got naked, danced around a bit, smiled, squeezed my tits together, yada yada. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ first album was playing on repeat. He asked me to call him Uncle Terry and I obliged, because why not?”
Richardson who is known for his highly sexually provocative style has worked for only the most prominent names in the industry. Shockingly enough, one fashion insider who requested to remain anonymous told Jezebel, that companies who brand him “know full well Richardson’s predatory behavior,” but that he “is tolerated because the industry folk are just sheep. There are only a handful of photographers who have the power, a handful of editors who have the power, and a handful of clients who have the power. Everyone else just follows this small group of people.”
We have to ask, what is this…High School all over again? Follow the leader?
Many people are shouting out from every angle against the alleged predator, but Fashionista.com doesn’t think this will taint Richardson’s image, they said, “As more models come forward, we’ve started to wonder if this will actually affect his career. The man shoots for everyone, and we do mean everyone — from American Vogue to Purple, from H&M to Tom Ford, even Lacoste — and our instincts say no, he’ll continue to be one of the most in demand fashion photographers.”
We BEG to differ and we urge companies and agencies to be very selective in who they employ. If an employee is behaving inappropriately, no matter how talented they are, they deserve the pink slip. Not doing so exemplifies that you stand behind and condone such behavior. Models need to take a stand and women need to learn when to say NO and walkout. People do anything for fame, but even if earning you millions nothing is worth your dignity and integrity. If you are in any position that makes you feel awkward, get up and go. If you feel you were born to be a star, don’t be anyone’s Bozo the clown. Sexual exploitation is not a taboo, regardless of the field you are in, but the easy way is the hard way and you will realize that in the end. And to Fashion Industry professionals, shame on you! This industry may be dominated by men, but it is meant to cater predominantly to WOMEN.
-LR
ALL above images property of Terry Richardson
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