Diana's photographer Patrick Demarchelier and British stylist Karl Templer accused of sexual misconduct

Patrick Demarchelier, Princess Diana's personal photographer, and British stylist Karl Templer are among 25 fashion industry professionals accused of sexual misconduct in a bombshell expose. 

The Boston Globe’s Spotlight team, which in 2002 unveiled widespread sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Boston, said more than 50 models had detailed allegations of misconduct they say that they had experienced, from touching to assault.

Collectively, they made claims against at least 25 photographers, agents, stylists, casting directors and other industry professionals, the Globe reported.

They include Demarchelier, fellow photographer Greg Kadel, who has worked for Victoria’s Secret and Vogue, and stylist Templer, who has worked with Coach, Zara, and Tommy Hilfiger.

The Globe said all of those accused had denied the allegations against them.

Nevertheless, glossy magazine empire Conde Nast, whose company includes Vogue, had said it has stopped working for now with Demarchelier and Kadel.

The Globe said one of Demarchelier’s former assistants complained about relentless sexual demands, to which she eventually submitted, fearing that she would otherwise endanger her position.

Six other women accused the now 74-year-old Frenchman of unwanted advances, including thrusting a model’s hands onto her genitals and grabbing another model’s breasts, the Globe said.

Demarchelier did not immediately respond to an AFP request to comment.

He was quoted by the Globe as saying the complaints against him were untrue. "People lie and they tell stories," he said.

In an interview with the Telegraph in  2008, he said his sessions were "very heated affairs".

"When I take nude photos, it's very sexual ... I like nudes where you can feel the emotion: I like that mix of timidity and nakedness." 

Demarchelier became the first non-British, official photographer of the Royal Family when Diana requested he take on the role of her personal photographer. "We became friends," he said in the interview. "She was funny and kind - but fundamentally she was a very simple woman who liked very simple things."

Three female models who asked not to be identified accused Templer of yanking their breasts, touching their crotches, or aggressively pulling down their underwear without asking them during shoots, the Globe reported.

One model described a shoot in which she claims Templer approached her while she was topless and against a wall.

“Karl comes up to me and gets down on his knees and yanks my underwear and my shorts down . . . really fast," she told the Globe. "I remember I’m gripping onto it with my finger and he’s still pulling.”

In a statement to the newspaper, Templer denied "these vague and anonymous allegations". 

"If I’ve ever inadvertently made anyone feel uncomfortable, I’m truly sorry," he said. "Although physical interactions with models is a necessary aspect of my job as a fashion stylist, I’ve never touched anyone in an inappropriate way nor ever with any sexual intent. I’m always respectful of models, remain deeply committed to creating a safe and professional working environment and embrace the systematic changes that our industry is implementing.”

The sexual harassment watershed engulfing the United States has already rocked the fashion industry, with allegations of misconduct seeing photographers Terry Richardson, Mario Testino and Bruce Weber barred from collaborating with Conde Nast whilst allegations are investigated.

The supermodel Kate Upton has also accused Paul Marciano, one of the founders and creative directors of American denim label Guess, of emotional harassment and sexual misconduct. Marciano denies the allegations. In a statement to Time, Marciano said that Upton's accusations are "absolutely false" and "preposterous." 

The magazine empire has issued a new "Code of Conduct" to include bans on alcohol on sets and the use of models under the age of 18 without a chaperone present. Nudity or "sexually suggestive" poses are to be agreed on beforehand.

The Globe said some models wanted to expose serial predators while others wanted new legal protections and radical reform in an industry they say left them feeling exploited.