Adding to the long list of celebrities accused of sexual assault is one of the most recognizable names in the fashion industry, Alexander Wang. On December 28, an account known for exposing the truth about the modeling industry (@shitmodelmgmt) posted an Instagram calling the fashion icon an alleged sexual predator. “Alexander wang is an alleged sexual predator. Many male models and trans models have come out and spoken about the alleged sexual abuse that alexander wang has inflicted upon them.”
The post included seven anonymous DMS of people alleging Wang roofied, groped, raped, and took advantage of multiple male models. They also posted a viral TikTok by male-model and designer, Owen Mooney. In his Tik Tok, Mooney talks about his experience with Wang at a nightclub in 2017 where he allegedly groped him without consent.
Although the TikTok doesn’t refer to Wang by name, many of the comments claimed he was “known for this in the industry.” Mooney then posted a follow-up video confirming it was in fact Alexander Wang he was referring to.
Alexander Wang rose to fame in 2007 when he presented his first women’s collection on the catwalk in NYC. His collection gained traction and led to Wang winning the CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund in 2008. Wang launched a handbag collection with the $20,000 he was awarded.
The fashion designer wasn’t just known for his designs, his parties were so legendary that they were given a name, #WangFest. The first #WangFest took place in 2009 at a gas station and solidified his “party-girl” image following his international recognition. WangFest opened the floodgates for him to be invited to all the hottest parties in town, always accompanied by famous models and celebrities.
Wang is no stranger to scandal as sweatshop allegations met the designer in 2012. The New York Post reported a $50 million lawsuit against him for allegedly running a sweatshop in Chinatown, Manhattan. Women’s Wear Daily reported the dismissal of the lawsuit five months after the initial report. Although Wang and his lawyers declined to comment, it was revealed that the victims had received a settlement.
Although December 2020 was when the media first started paying attention to the allegations against Wang, they have been around for a while. The chatter of alleged misconduct has been on social media from as early as 2017. Rapper Azealia Banks is one of the celebrities who has been very vocal in their accusations against Wang. Banks posted multiple anonymous accounts of Wang groping trans women on her Instagram page in 2019.
Even though allegations against Wang date back years, he never officially addressed any of them until now. On January 4, 2021, he posted a statement on his Instagram page. “I’d like to take the opportunity to connect directly with the people who have followed and supported this brand and me over the years and address the recent false, fabricated, and mostly anonymous accusations against me. These baseless allegations were started on social media by sited which repeatedly disregarded the value and importance of evidence or fact checking. My team is doing everything in its power to investigate these claims and I promise to remain honest and transparent throughout that process. I am fortunate to have received an overwhelming amount of support over the last few days and am thankful to those standing by my side at this time.”
Vogue reported that many of the people accusing Wang of sexual misconduct are considering legal action with the help of Lisa Bloom, a famous lawyer known for representing victims of sexual assault. Bloom stated “The fashion industry is long overdue for a reckoning of its frequent, disturbing mistreatment of models. I’ve represented many alleging sexual misconduct in recent years, including Paul Marciano, Bruce Weber, and others. Models are not props, and they have the same rights to workplace respect as everyone else.”
