Fashion industry watchdog Diet Prada has called out Kim Kardashian West for sharing a photograph of herself and her eldest daughter.
Months after posting a message sympathising with those accusing her former personal photographer Marcus Hyde of sexual assault, the reality TV star has published a photograph that has caused some to react angrily.
In July, the reality star shared a message on her Instagram Story to say that she was ‘deeply shocked, saddened and disappointed’ by misconduct allegations levied against Hyde, with whom she worked closely in the past.
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On Sunday night, the Diet Prada Instagram account shared a side-by-side image of the 39-year-old’s previous statement and a recent black-and-white photograph, shared on Thursday, of herself and her daughter North West, taken by photographer Mario Testino.
‘Coining a new term... Kimpocrisy. @kimkardashian ‘s recent choice to employ @mariotestino is a hella odd flex considering she applauded survivors this past July for speaking out against sexual assault by Marcus Hyde, her personal photographer,’ the photo’s caption reads.
Last year, the New York Times published an exposé in which 13 male models and former assistants described allegations of sexual misconduct by Testino. The fashion photographer has denied all accusations, however, several brands including Burberry, Michael Kors, and Stuart Weitzman have ceased their working relationships with him.
In October, Testino shared an image of the reality star – seemingly taken from the same photoshoot – and explained that she had asked him to shoot her entire family at her home, and posed for him in a bathrobe for his ongoing Towel Series.
‘There’s no doubt that the power wielded from fame can do great good,’ Diet Prada’s caption of the photo continues. ‘Kim’s level of celebrity has been enough to free people from jail, but adversely, her very public and premature endorsement of Testino is problematic in that it both discredits the experiences of survivors and worse, potentially enables further exploitative behaviour.'
The caption also described the star’s actions as ‘perplexing’ as she could ‘choose any photographer in the world, so why keep working with problematic men?
‘There are female photographers too...’
In July, American model Sunnaya Nash shared several screenshots on Instagram of her alleged direct messages with Hyde. The model claims the photographer asked her for nude photos in exchange for a free photoshoot.
After sharing her allegations, Nash said that she had been inundated stories from other women making similar claims against Hyde, some of which she shared on Twitter.
Taking to Instagram after learning of Nash's allegations, Kardashian-West referred to Hyde in a message that read: ‘I have been reading all of the messages and stories from women regarding inappropriate and inexcusable behaviour of a photographer I have worked with in the past.
‘My own experiences have always been professional, and I am deeply shocked, saddened and disappointed to learn that other women have had very different experiences.
‘I stand in full support of every woman’s right to not be harassed, asked or pressured to do anything they are not comfortable with.’
After Diet Prada shared Nash’s allegations against Hyde, model Leomie Anderson, celebrity stylist Karla Welsh and RuPaul’s Drag Race jude Michelle Visage showed their support for the model.
Model Karen Elson commented: ‘This is so sad and why models need to have better protections as this happens every day to young women on social media who are trying to make it as a model.’
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
