"Forget the underwear": The investigation revealing sexual harassment in Victoria's Secret

A huge New York Times magazine investigation reveals a culture of sexual harassment and misconduct toward lingerie brand models. According to the article, the former marketing manager used to harass women - and the company turned a blind eye

"Forget the underwear": The investigation revealing sexual harassment in Victoria's Secret

A huge New York Times newspaper has accused the owner of successful Victoria's Secret lingerie brand Leslie Wexner , 82, of blatantly disregarding sexual harassment and misconduct with his girlfriend. The giant reporter has interviews with more than 30 executives, employees and models in the past and present as well as various legal documents. Everyone sheds light on a work environment full of bullying and harassment.

The article noted that Wexner has turned a blind eye to many complaints against his marketing manager, and today's hand, Ed Razak , who works with him at L brands, where he harasses the brand's models. Razak (71) denied the allegations, saying that "all the allegations in the article are untrue or removed from the context." He went on to say, "I have been fortunate to work with countless world-class models and gifted professionals, and one can only take pride in our mutual respect for one another."

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At the center of the investigation. Former Marketing Manager Ed Razak (right) and owner Leslie Wexner (Photo: GettyImages)

Leslie Wexner Ed Razek Victoria's Secret (Photo: GettyImages)

Razek, who for 27 years cast models for the Victoria's Secret brand, resigned last summer. Among other things, his retirement is linked to widespread public criticism of him in 2018 due to his disapproval of hiring transgender models or large-scale people. After his retirement, a transgender model named Valentina Sempio was cast for the brand. Also, a new brand campaign has recently been published featuring women in all sizes and colors. Aside from Razek's retirement, it was announced last week that Wexner is considering retiring as CEO of the company. Of course, his choice to issue the retirement intent announcement could not be ignored near the time the investigation was published.

Organizational culture is messy, offensive and offensive to women. Victoria's Secret Angelicism (Photo: GettyImages)

Victoria's Secret (Photo: GettyImages)

The New York Times investigation reveals a disorganized, offensive and offensive corporate culture toward women. For example, testimonials in the article reveal Razek's regular way of speaking. In one case, when Top Model Bella Hadid came in for measurements, he told her, "Forget about the underwear," and three people testified in the article. In another case, he wondered if the television company would allow the display to be broadcast when a man walked on the track with her "perfect tits." In other cases, he asked for models during measurements - wearing only their underwear and bra, their personal phone number.

A former Victoria Public Relations official said: "Anyone who has tried to do something about this behavior has not only been ignored but also punished for it." Also, according to the investigation, the Victoria's Secret Human Resources Department was flooded with complaints of damage, but nothing was done. On this occasion it is worth mentioning that this year the annual display of the brand was canceled, for the first time in 25 years. The reasons are varied, and along with the economic losses there is also severe public criticism of the brand that exhibits extreme thinness and does not try to break the old ideal of beauty.

She, too, fell victim to the harassment in society. Bella Hadid to Victoria's Secret (Photo: GettyImages)

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2017 in Shanghai, China (Photo: GettyImages)

This article also does not address the connection between Wexner and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who ended his life in prison last year. The two had long-term business relationships that were severed more than a decade ago. Wexner even accused Epstein last year of abusing funds from his fortune in the Wexner Fund. However, according to the investigation, for a long time, during the 1990s, Epstein sexually assaulted models of the brand or women who wanted to work for the brand. Wexner knew about it, and did nothing. Although he shunned him and also went against his behavior - he took no action.

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Annual view canceled this year (Photo: GettyImages)

Victoria's Secret Fashion Show Shanghai Victoria's Secret Angel (Photo: GettyImages)