Alexander Wang Responds to Sexual Misconduct Accusations

One accusation brought several others back into the spotlight

Alexander Wang
Alexander Wang attends the Bvlgari B.zero1 Rock collection event at Duggal Greenhouse on February 06, 2020 in Brooklyn, New York.
Steven Ferdman/Getty Images

Earlier this week, model Owen Mooney accused fashion designer Alexander Wang of sexual assault, alleging that Wang had groped him in January 2017. Mooney staed that “he just started touching me up. Fully up my leg, in my crotch. It made me freeze completely because I was in so much shock.”

Wang’s lawyer also commented on Mooney’s accusation, stating that he “believes Mooney is mistaken about who allegedly groped him.”

As Mattha Busby writes for The Guardian, Mooney’s statement has prompted a number of other allegations of sexual misconduct directed at Wang, some of which came via posts on social media revisited by the websites Diet Prada and Shit Model Management. Busby points out that Wang was also criticized for a 2017 advertising campaign featuring R. Kelly.

The Guardian‘s article also notes that Wang recently turned off comments on his Instagram feed. He also responded to the accusations made against him. “Seeing these lies about me being perpetuated as truths has been infuriating,” Wang said. “I have never engaged in the atrocious behaviour described and would never conduct myself in the manner that’s been alleged.”

Industry advocacy group the Model Alliance addressed the accusations against Wang via Instagram, commenting that they “stand in solidarity with those with those who have shared accusations of sexual abuse by Alexander Wang.” What other effects may emerge from these accusations — and what the industry response will be — remains to be seen.

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