More than 100 models — including former Angel Doutzen Kroes and Christy Turlington — have called out Victoria’s Secret for sexual harassment and abuse in an open letter to the lingerie brand’s CEO.
The open letter penned directly to Victoria’s Secret CEO John Mehas was published by the Model Alliance and co-signed by Time’s Up, with more than 100 models also signing their names to express concern about allegations against the brand.
‘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 read.
Enough is enough: The Model Alliance penned an open letter to Victoria’s Secret (picture from its annual fashion show in 2018) CEO John Mehas to call out sexual harassment and abuse
Time for respect: The letter shared concerns over the brand’s ties to alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and photographers Timur Emek, David Bellemere and Greg Kadel
Speaking out: Models Christy Turlington (left) and Iskra Lawrence (right) were two of more than 100 models who signed the letter. Neither ever worked for Victoria’s Secret
The letter continued: ‘In the past few weeks, we have heard numerous allegations of sexual assault, alleged rape, and sex trafficking of models and aspiring models. While these 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.’
It specifically mentioned company L Brands, which is the parent company of Victoria’s Secret, and its ties to Jeffrey Epstein — who is accused of sex trafficking.
Mad: The letter express concern over the brand’s ties to alleged sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and photographers Timur Emek, David Bellemere and Greg Kade
L Brands CEO Les Wexner reportedly hired Epstein as a financial adviser and remained close friends prior to recent accusations.
The letter also mentioned the sexual misconduct by photographers Timur Emek, David Bellemere and Greg Kadel, and their power within the Victoria’s Secret brand over its models.
These male photographers were accused in recent weeks of taking advantage of the models they shot and allegedly forcing some to perform sexual favors or pose nude.
‘It is deeply disturbing that these men appear to have leveraged their working relationships with Victoria’s Secret to lure and abuse vulnerable girls,’ the letter read.
‘These stories are gut-wrenching and hit close to home for many of us who have encountered these kinds of abuses that are too often tolerated in our industry,’ the Model Alliance wrote.
‘We stand with the courageous women who have come forward and shared their stories, despite fears of retaliation or harm to their careers. It breaks our hearts to keep hearing these stories. We can and must do better. It is time for RESPECT.’
In order to protect future models against abuse and harassment, the alliance is recommending for Victoria’s Secret to implement a RESPECT Program within its brand.
Moving on: The letter was co-signed by Time’s Up and more than 100 models, including former Victoria’s Secret Angel Doutzen Kroes (pictured at the fashion show in 2009)
The full list: Other prominent names listed on the letter against Victoria’s Secret include Carolyn Murphy, Charli Howard, Edie Campbell, Emme, Erin O’Connor, and Gemma Ward
Changing their minds: Also Caitriona Balfe (left), who walked in the 2002 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, and Karen Elson (right), who walked in the 2001 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, signed the letter
The program, developed by the alliance, requires all company employees to follow a code of conduct that increases safety for everyone and reduces mistreatment.
‘We are calling on Victoria’s Secret to take meaningful action to protect its talent and those who aspire to work with the company,’ the alliance continued. ‘Victoria’s Secret has the opportunity to be a leader, to use its power and influence to bring about the changes that are urgently needed in our industry.’
Facing the backlash: The letter was addressed to Victoria’s Secret CEO John Mehas (pictured)
More than one hundred signatures adorned the letter at the end, some of which came from major players in the modeling industry — such as former Angel Doutzen Kroes, Christy Turlington and Iskra Lawrence.
Also Caitriona Balfe, who walked in the 2002 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, and Karen Elson, who walked in the 2001 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, signed the letter against the brand they formerly worked.
Dutch fashion photographers Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin also signed the letter in support for calling out the lingerie brand.
This comes after the photographers previously shot a spread for Vogue Paris in 2011 starring only Victoria’s Secret Models.
Other prominent names listed on the letter against Victoria’s Secret include Carolyn Murphy, Charli Howard, Edie Campbell, Emme, Erin O’Connor, Gemma Ward, MIlla Jovovich and Robyn Lawley.
A Victoria’s Secret representative told ELLE the brand is ‘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.’
DailyMail.com has reached out for a comment.
The open letter comes mere days after the news Ed Razek, the chief marketing officer of Victoria’s Secret’s parent company L Brand, will retire, The Wall Street Journal first reported.
Time for retirement: The letter comes two days after it was revealed Ed Razek would be stepping down. Razek faced backlash last November for his comments against trans models
Razek reportedly wrote a letter to Wexner stating his ‘desire to retire sometime around mid August.’
Last November, Razek and Victoria’s Secret faced backlash from the public after the chief marketing officer spoke to Vogue about including transgender and plus-size models for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.
‘Shouldn’t you have transsexuals in the show? No. No, I don’t think we should,’ Razek said at the time. ‘Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy. It’s a 42-minute entertainment special. That’s what it is.’
During the interview, Razek also claimed the brand attempted to have a separate special featuring plus-size models, but it didn’t hit the ratings the company wanted.
‘No one had any interest in it, still don’t,’ he said.
Razek later apologized for his comments after it sparked immense backlash from consumers.
His announcement about retiring comes the same week as transgender model Valentina Sampaio announced she was working for Victoria’s Secret.
It remains unclear if the recent addition of the 22-year-old trans model to the Victoria’s Secret line-up inspired Razek’s decision to leave the company.
Victoria’s Secret has also faced issues with ratings for its annual fashion show following the controversial comments. It was revealed in recent weeks that the fashion show would not happen this coming year by Victoria’s Secret model Shanina Shaik.