Accused of years of harassing actresses and assistants, the topic of sexual violence has become one of the main topics in Western society. On October 24, glossy photographer Terry Richardson came under fire, having been repeatedly accused of an inappropriate approach to his work. Now the publishing house Conde Nast (it publishes Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker magazines), and then the fashion brands Valentino and Bulgari, have refused to cooperate with Richardson.

“I am writing to you on a very important matter. Conde Nast would no longer like to collaborate with Terry Richardson. All footage that was commissioned from him, but has not yet been published, must be destroyed and replaced with other materials,” wrote James Woolhouse in a letter to the publishing house.

For Valentino, Richardson shot one of the latest advertising campaigns; photographs were published on the brand’s Instagram. Now mentions of the photographer’s name have disappeared from their captions. “Our last campaign with Terry Richardson was filmed in July and we have no plans to work with him in the future. Of course, we take the accusations against him very seriously,” said a representative of the fashion house.

On Wednesday, October 25, clothing manufacturer Diesel, known for its aggressively sexual marketing in the past, announced that it was ending its business with Richardson.

Richardson himself does not consider himself guilty. He admitted he "interacted" with the models and "at times behaved in an overtly sexual manner" but insisted it was always with their consent.

“I worked with older women who were fully aware of the nature of the work and also signed the contract. I have never used job offers or threats to force someone to do anything. I treat those with whom I work with sufficient respect and consider them to be free individuals capable of assessing situations and making decisions. Therefore, it is difficult to consider them silent victims of circumstances, and I don’t want to become a victim either.”

A representative for the American photographer says much the same thing: “Terry is very upset about everything that is happening. He is an artist known for his sexually explicit work, and many of his professional relationships have been sexually explicit in nature. But all participants in the process acted voluntarily.”

Terry Richardson with partner Alex Bolotov.

Richardson with Hungarian fashion model Eniko Mihalik.

Terry Richardson photographed many film and porn industry stars, musicians, models, and politicians. He did advertising campaigns for fashion houses and collaborated with glossy magazines.

It was he who directed the provocative video for Miley Cyrus Wrecking Ball, which the singer then publicly regretted.

In 2001, model Liskula Cohen was photographed for Vogue: Richardson completely undressed himself, asked her to do the same and depict sex with another man. A woman named Anna told Jezebel in 2014 that he brought his penis close to her face during a 2008 shoot. Former model Charlotte Waters told Vocativ that in 2009, during a shoot, Richardson licked her naked buttocks, demanded affection from her and even masturbated in front of her.

In 2014, model Emma Appleton shared a message allegedly from Richardson in which she was offered a Vogue shoot in exchange for sex. Facebook representatives confirmed that the message was not from Richardson’s account, but this was enough for American Vogue not to work with him. Women's Wear Daily interviewed people who worked with Richardson, and one of them said he saw the photographer having sex with a woman on set.

“I have never used job offers to force someone to do something they didn’t want to do. I treat everyone I work with with enough respect to view them as people with free will who make their own decisions.”

Although American Vogue and some brands like H&M and Target stopped working with Richardson a few years ago, until recently this had little impact on his career. In May 2016, Richardson photographed Bella Hadid for the cover of W Korea, and in August 2017, he prepared an editorial shoot for Vogue Paris.

People have been gossiping about the fact that Terry Richardson is a predator who preys on assistants and models for many years. Last year, a public petition was even launched in the United States about his unacceptable behavior, and American Vogue even stopped working with the photographer for some time. In all this turmoil, the interesting thing is that despite all his scandalousness, Terry does not lose popularity and contracts with fashion houses and magazines. Today Richardson celebrates, and we remember the chronology of his sex scandals.

2004:

Terry and Lindsay Lohan

The Observer published a scandalous article involving Terry's assistant and an unknown model. According to the assistant, during one of the shootings he caught the photographer in intimate intimacy with the beauty who was being photographed. Once spotted, Richardson noted with a laugh, “This is Sesame Street.”

2009:

Terry and Paris Hilton

Model Senya Cech was one of those who spoke openly about sex with Terry in a documentary about the downside of being a model. The Guardian wrote about this film, which included a piquant dialogue between a journalist and a model, in which the model shares details of an intimate relationship with Richardson.

2010:

In 2010, model Ree Rasmussen became Terry Richardson's alleged victim. The model was outraged that the photographer combined her photographs with photographs of naked young girls. At a social event in Paris, Rasmussen told Richardson to his face that his work “degrades women.” Ree complained that he took advantage of girls' naivety and took photos that they would be ashamed of in the future. According to eyewitnesses, Richardson immediately left the event.

2010:

Terry Richardson and Miranda Kerr

Shortly after, former model Jamie Peck wrote about an experience she had with Terri Richardson when she was 19 in an essay for The Gloss. Peck, who did two shoots with Richardson, mentions that he asked to be called only “Uncle Terry” and also offered to make tea from a tampon.

“Before I could say 'hey, hey, hey!', he was standing there, wearing only his tattoos, swinging the biggest manhood I'd ever seen,” Jamie writes in her essay.

2010:

Coco Rocha

If until this moment fairly unknown models had opposed Terry, then in 2010 one of the most famous models, Coco Rocha, caused a scandal with him. Despite the fact that the model did not report sexual harassment, in her interview with Fashion magazine she said that she would never work with the photographer again. They had one shoot together, after which Rocha stated that she was so uncomfortable that she would not repeat it again. Here is one of the pictures they took.

2014:

Terry and Eniko Mihalik

Sarah Ziff and Alice Shoemaker, talking about the formation of the modeling alliance on HuffPost, immediately mentioned Richardson. Ziff, who worked with him once, like Coco Rocha, said she would no longer work with the photographer and understands why young models have problems with him. “This goes beyond bare torso, these are serious allegations. I worked with him and will not do so again based on my own experience,” Sarah said then.

2014:

Terry Richardson and Madonna

British model Emma Appleton uploaded a screenshot of a message sent to her by someone purportedly named Terry Richardson. The text of the message contained a proposal for sexual intercourse. A day later, the model deleted the screenshot from her Twitter. Later it turned out that it was a fake, and the model wanted to become famous in this way. However, a spokesman for American Vogue said: “We have no plans to work with him in the future.” The magazine later withdrew its decision.

Interestingly, not a single similar complaint was received from famous people, whom Terry photographed dozens of during his long career. The question arises, are all these stories true? But in any case, it will remain either on the conscience of Richardson or on the conscience of those who spread the rumors.

Terry Richardson is a popular American photographer, the son of the famous fashion photographer Bob Richardson. As a child he lived in Paris, New York, London and Los Angeles. Over the years, Terry has built an impeccable reputation for himself and is now a sought-after top photographer. His photographs show the most famous top models, pop stars, musicians and movie stars.

Photographer Terry Richardson: his work

Richardson, with his distinctive appearance: mustache, sideburns, and vintage glasses, is an important figure in the world of fashion and show business. Among the many stars who have worked with him are Lady Gaga, Georgia May Jagger, Gisele Bundchen, Kate Moss, Lydia Hearst, Kate Upton, Rihanna, Will Ferrell, Woody Allen, Jared Leto and many others, the list goes on and on.

Since the beginning of his career, he has maintained simple aesthetic principles, often using plain white backgrounds and minimal photography props. Possessing incredible charisma, Terry Richardson has become a true legend and celebrity in the field of show business.

Biography facts

Terry Richardson was born on August 14, 1965 in New York City to photographer Bob Richardson and stylist Annie Lomax. As a child, he moved to Paris with his parents, who divorced soon after. In 1971, he and his mother moved to America.

Terry spent his youth in Hollywood and Los Angeles, where he attended high school. In the early 1990s, Terry Richardson played in several punk bands, and at the age of eighteen he began to take up photography. This harmless hobby gradually grew into a real passion. Despite his shyness, the talented teenager felt that he could show his creativity through his photographs. In 2012, Terry Richardson presented his first exhibition to the public in Los Angeles, California.

Carier start

After some time, his career in this field took off when he moved to New York and convinced Vibe magazine to shoot a series of photographs with his father. Although unsuccessful, the photographs taken by Terry Richardson marked the beginning of a monumental career.

Gradually, he began to collaborate with many manufacturing companies for the largest fashion brands, as well as for the most famous designers such as Yves Saint Laurent, Jimmy Choo and Tom Ford; with the most sought-after models and celebrities, including Lindsey Wixson, Crystal Renn, James Franco, Chloë Sevigny, Lara Stone. And even US President Barack Obama posed in front of his lens.

From a simple assistant to a professional

Terry Richardson, whose photographs appear on the covers of popular fashion publications, began his professional career as a simple assistant who gradually learned to photograph his surroundings, and later people. He ended up working with some of the biggest celebrities in Hollywood. These included Leonardo DiCaprio, Lindsay Lohan, Mickey Rourke and others. Richardson has also done a lot of work for famous brands such as Hugo Boss, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana.

Terry Richardson: scandalous photo

His photographs often create quite a stir because some consider them provocatively sexual and even pornographic. Richardson also sometimes acts as a model himself and participates in the filming of various sex scenes with both women and men.

Terry Richardson himself, whose photographs are often provocative and provocative, says that these photos allow him to explore his sexuality, in addition, he is clearly not shy about showing his body in the most revealing positions.

In 2010, he was accused of sexual exploitation. Richardson publicly responded to these allegations, stating that they were completely false and baseless. Richardson's photographs, and more specifically his indecent photographs, have always been the subject of quite a bit of controversy throughout much of his career.

Who is Terry Richardson? This famous photographer is a favorite of many Western celebrities. He has become an iconic figure largely due to his overly frank style of work - his overly sexualized photographs shock the public. Moreover, some models even accused him of sexual violence and inappropriate behavior. Terry Richardson has worked with hundreds of celebrities, including Kate Moss, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna and Lady Gaga.

Facts from life

Born in New York in 1965, Richardson spent much of his youth in Paris, as his father was a photographer for French Vogue. Upon returning to America in 1969, Terry's parents divorced after his father had an affair with 17-year-old model, now actress Anjelica Huston.

Tired of city life, his mother Norma decided to move to Woodstock, but she soon grew tired of the quiet lifestyle, and after a short stay in London, the family moved to California in 1974.

Career

Richardson was given his first camera by his mother, actress Norma Kessler, in 1982. Now Terry is over fifty, he participates in advertising campaigns for such famous brands as Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Yves Saint Laurent and many others. However, his path to fame was quite long. In 1994, his photographs appeared in Vibe magazine (New York), and he was shown at Paris International Fashion Week that same year.

In 1995, he participated in an advertising campaign for fashion designer Katherine Hamnett, whose collection featured obscenely short skirts. Terry Richardson then worked in London (England) for The Face, Arena and other magazines. In 2012, the controversial photographer presented his first solo exhibition at a gallery in Los Angeles. In 2013, he photographed the Kardashian sisters Kim, Kourtney and Khloe for the launch of their LIPSY collection.

Harassment allegations

Since 2010, the photographer has literally been bombarded with numerous complaints about his inappropriate sexual behavior, coercion and violence. Terry Richardson has always denied any wrongdoing and has never been found guilty of any wrongdoing. Some models felt comfortable enough until he himself suddenly stripped naked. Despite everything, Terry Richardson continued to shoot, filling the covers of popular magazines.

In 2014, 6 more women publicly accused him of inappropriate behavior. This time the effect was more noticeable. Such publications as American Vogue, New-York Times, W-Magazine and Target broke ties with the fashion photographer. Then one of Richardson's longtime employers, shoe brand Aldo, cuts ties with him, followed by fashion house Roberto Cavalli.

Attentive artist or lustful predator?

Whatever reputation Terry Richardson enjoys, his photographs are published in the best magazines, many celebrities have posed for him - from Barack Obama to Justin Bieber. Madonna, Kate Moss, Miley Cyrus, Chloë Sevigny, Mila Kunis, the Olsen sisters, Beyoncé, Emily Ratejkauski, Lady Gaga posed for him. His work has been featured in top glamor magazines and he has been hired by YSL, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Diesel, H&M, Mango, Supreme, Aldo, Jimmy Choo, Sisley and Gucci.

Celebrities want to work with him and use his services, despite his scandalous reputation. It's undeniable that many top fashion publications and designers are aware of the accusations they are ignoring Terry Richardson. Works of the famous provocateur and his style are commercially successful, and this is something to be reckoned with.

The last few years of his career were marred by allegations of sexual harassment. In 2010, he clashed at Paris Fashion Week with Danish model Rie Rasmussen, who accused Richardson of abusing his power in the fashion industry and harassing young women. In 2005, Romanian model Gabriela Johansson sued for breach of contract, fraud and invasion of privacy.

Fashion photographer status

Despite calls from fashion brands to boycott Richardson, he is still reaping the fruits of his labors. In 2015 alone, he worked with Harper's Bazaar, Rolling Stone, Italian and French editions of Vogue and GQ. He secured lucrative contracts with Valentino and Carolina Herrera. Richardson's in-demand status among the biggest brands and celebrities of our time has made him one of the most revered photographers of his generation. He has a very impressive professional portfolio. Terry Richardson is not just a fashion photographer, he is a bold provocateur who tried to erase the boundaries between fashion and eroticism.