Model Kate Upton Accuses Guess Co-Founder Paul Marciano of Sexual Harassment; Marciano Responds

blogged by: @ashleytearra

Sexual misconduct doesn’t only happen in the workplace, between the office cubicles or behind the break room walls. It happens on the set of that million dollar film, or, sometimes, maybe even the photoshoot of that high-end clothing brand, too.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

On Wednesday, model Kate Upton took to Twitter to blast Guess co-founder Paul Marciano for sexual harassment, stating how “disappointed” she was to see that the popular fashion retailer still held Marciano as an employee.

“It’s disappointing that such an iconic women’s brand, @GUESS, is still empowering Paul Marciano as their creative director. #metoo,” she tweets.

Marciano co-founded the company in the 1980s, but in 2015, he stepped down from his position as CEO and remained as an executive chairman and chief creative officer of the company.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

A few years ago, Upton worked with Guess as a spokesmodel for one of their ad campaigns, which, we would assume, is how she first met Marciano.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Following her sudden comment, the 25-year-old then re-posted a screenshot of the same tweet to Instagram, with the caption: “[Marciano] shouldn’t be allowed to use his power in the industry to sexually and emotionally harass women. #metoo.”

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Although Upton didn’t go into much detail, she hinted to TMZ that her full side of the story would be coming soon. “I’m excited to tell my whole story, but a walk to the car is not gonna cover it,” she says walking out of LAX.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

In later remarks, Upton briefly stated her belief that others within the Guess team are aware of Marciano’s unruly conduct, and she hopes that they will speak out.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

But, according to TMZ, Marciano says that he has never touched Upton, nor has he been in a private setting with her. He also alleges that he’s shocked, and he refuses to issue an apology, as he feels that he “has done nothing wrong.”