Harvey Weinstein allegedly used his ties with the fashion world as a way of obtaining access to models, the Los Angeles Times reports. The paper claims that the producer used his ties with the industry as "a pipeline" to young, vulnerable women working far from home. More than 10 models, including Cara Delevingne, have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct.
Although he is best known for his Hollywood career, Weinstein also executive produced Project Runway, invested in Halston and backed luxury label Marchesa, which was co-founded by his wife, Georgina Chapman. The designer has since left her husband following the numerous sexual assault and harassment allegations.
Former Brazilian model Juliana De Paula told the LA Times she was forced to defend herself with a broken glass after Weinstein groped her and then chased her round his apartment naked. She and three models met him at an Italian restaurant in New York, and he invited the group to visit his loft afterwards. Once they were in the lift to his flat, he allegedly began molesting the women, "forcing" them to kiss one another: "Like putting both heads together," said De Paula.
Once they were inside his apartment, he removed his clothes and ushered the models into his bedroom. De Paula ran into the bathroom where he followed her.
"He was moving toward me. I got scared, and I was afraid," De Paula said, before breaking a wine glass and saying to him. "You let me out of here right now, or this is going to have serious consequences."
She says he let her leave the loft.
Another model, Zoë Brock, told The Times about an evening where she hid in the bathroom after the producer stood before her naked and demanded a massage.
"I hope that from this moment on, young girls, from every country, start to value themselves as more than the objects the industry has always treated them as," said Brock.
Weinstein has apologized for some of his behavior, but has denied all non-consensual sex allegations.
