Model Kate Upton took to Twitter and Instagram on Wednesday to express her disappointment that Paul Marciano, co-founder of the fashion label Guess, is still serving as the creative director.
It’s disappointing that such an iconic women’s brand @GUESS is still empowering Paul Marciano as their creative director #metoo
— Kate Upton (@KateUpton) January 31, 2018
Upton then posted a screenshot of the tweet to Instagram, further expanding on her comment. “He shouldn’t be allowed to use his power in the industry to sexually and emotionally harass women,” Upton wrote. She added #metoo at the end.
The Blast later reported about both an unidentified woman accusing Marciano of sexual misconduct and a 2009 lawsuit from Guess model Lindsey Ring, which accused Marciano of sexually inappropriate behavior.
Marciano, however, denied the 2009 allegations and the lawsuit was eventually dismissed following an unknown settlement.
TMZ followed up with Upton, who said, “I can’t wait to tell my story.”
Marciano talked to TMZ today, denying he did anything wrong. “If she [Upton] has a claim, there’s one place to tell the truth and that’s in court or to the police.” He even went on to suggest that the reason Upton had “bad blood” with him was because of her ousting from the brand.
“He [Marciano] says after she became a superstar by way of 5 campaigns with the brand, she began showing up to set after late nights ‘looking terrible,'” TMZ said. “Marciano claims the company decided to cut ties with her … and he suggests this might be her motivation.”
Upton hasn’t commented further.