Leading photographer famous for working with Princess Diana accused of sexually exploiting male models

Famous fashion photographers Mario Testino and Bruce Weber have been levelled with multiple allegations of sexual assault and harassment against male models and assistants.

The accusations, published in an article in the New York Times yesterday, tell of repeated sexual advances and molestation.

Thirteen have come forward with their stories against Testino, some of which date back to the mid-1990s, though only some agreed to have their names included.

“I was often made to feel uncomfortable on shoots, asked to massage Mario in front of other assistants, models and fashion editors,” Hugo Tillman, who was an assistant for Testino in 1996, said.

He said Testino once grabbed him and tried to kiss him, and another time pinned him down on a bed.

(L-R) Naomi Watts, Michael Kors, Nicole Kidman and Mario Testino (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Michael Kors)

Another assistant, Roman Barrett, said Testino masturbated in front of him, and that sexual harassment was a “constant reality.”

“Then things would go back to normal,” he said. “And that made you feel gaslighted.”
Model Ryan Locke described him as a “sexual predator” with a notorious reputation.

Testino photographs Princess Diana for Vanity Fair in 1997

Testino, 63, was awarded an honorary OBE in 2014 and has long professional ties with the royal family, photographing Princess Diana, and more recently the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their engagement and Princess Charlotte’s christening.

His famous photo subjects also include Kate Moss, Michelle Obama and Serena Williams.

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