Banned Vogue photographer Terry Richardson admits ‘interacting’ with models in ‘sexually explicit way’ but insists it was consensual
A spokeswoman said he was 'disappointed' to hear Conde Nast International had instructed staff to stop working with him, as he 'has previously addressed these old stories'
THE banned Vogue photographer Terry Richardson has admitted "interacting" with models in a "sexually explicit" way - but insists it was consensual.
After the fashion snapper was dropped by a number of top magazines he today released a statement addressing the harassment claims.
His spokeswoman told The Telegraph: "He is an artist who has been known for his sexually explicit work so many of his professional interactions with subjects were sexual and explicit in nature but all of the subjects of his work participated consensually."
She added he was "disappointed" to hear Conde Nast International had instructed staff to stop working with him, as he "has previously addressed these old stories".
He has been dogged for years by allegations of sexually exploiting models, which he has always denied.
An email from executive vice president James Woolhouse read: "I am writing to you on an important matter.
"Condé Nast would like to no longer work with the photographer Terry Richardson.
"Please could you confirm that this policy will be actioned in your market effective immediately. Thank you for your support in this matter."
Richardson, 52, has always denied any allegations of harassment made against him.
A leaked email, seen by The Daily Telegraph, apparently sent to editors around the world tells staff not to hire him in future, and any unpublished shoots should be “killed or substituted with other material”.
The move is believed to be in response to a Sunday Times story which asked why Richardson was "still feted by fashionistas".
The article claimed Richardson had been accused by models of making them strip and perform sex acts during photoshoots.
He is also alleged to have had sex with his subjects and photographed them while they performed oral sex on him.
Some of the photos were published online, although many have now been deleted, The Sunday Times added.
In 2014, Brit model Emma Appleton tweeted a screenshot of a message she claimed was from Richardson, in which he seemed to imply she’d been given work at Vogue in exchange for sex.
His spokeswoman later insisted the message was a fake, but several other women came forward to make their own allegations against him – with many claiming he’d strip and ask them to perform sex acts while he photographed them.
The photographer told the Huffington Post all incidents were with “consenting adult women” and dismissed all claims otherwise as “malicious and manipulative recounting” that were “based on lies”.
After the controversy in 2014, Vogue said the mag had “no plans to work with him in the future”.
Model Liskula Cohen told the paper: "I worked with him once and I would never work with him again. He made me feel as if I was a prostitute, a whore."
No new allegations have been made in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse scandal.
Richardson addressed the allegations against him on Friday in a Huffington Post blog.
He wrote: "I collaborated with consenting adult women who were fully aware of the nature of the work, and as is typical with any project, everyone signed releases.
"I have never used an offer of work or a threat of rebuke to coerce someone into something that they did not want to do.
"I give everyone that I work with enough respect to view them as having ownership of their free will and making their decisions accordingly, and as such, it has been difficult to see myself as a target of revisionist history."
Richardson, who has worked with stars including Kate Moss and Miley Cyrus, is understood to have been in a contract dispute with Conde Nast for some time.
The New York-based snapper has also worked with a string of popstars including Beyonce and Lady Gaga, and directed the controversial music video that saw a naked Miley Cyrus straddle a wrecking ball for her song of the same name in 2013. She later said she regretted the shoot.
The Sun has approached Conde Nast for comment.
