'Groped, harassed, exploited': Models shame fashion designer
A 19-year-old teenager has warned fellow aspiring models of the dangers of amateur modelling after alleging she and many others were groped by Sydney fashion designer Shardz Hourani.
Tia Wright first brought to the fore the allegations with this warning to Photographers and Models on Facebook.
"WARNING ALL LADIES! SANIJA FASHION label is not a nice brand/person to work with," she posted on Wednesday.
"He will tell you that you will be paid and you will receive items of clothing. But you will not.
"He is not trained in modeling (sic) or photography.
"This label is very digrading [sic] for women and none of the many girls that have come from this label have been treated respectfully."
On Wednesday, a Facebook group called Say NO to Sanija Fashion emerged with photos of Hourani touching models on their breasts, buttocks and thighs as he arranges them in a number of poses.
A young Sydney model who worked with Hourani for months spoke exclusively with Yahoo7 News and says aspiring models initially joined Hourani because it was a good opportunity to build a portfolio without cost.
"First he adds you on Facebook and sends you a message saying his high-profile fashion label is looking for models," she said on the condition of anonymity.
"He asks you how much experience you have in modelling - because he is looking for people who don't have any experience," she alleged.
The model, who said models without experience were targeted because they were vulnerable and wouldn't be expected to understand how the industry works, said her second shoot was when she noticed something sinister.
"The first shoot he didn't touch me...he just told me what to do," she told Yahoo7 News.
She says during the second shoot she became very uncomfortable as Hourani allegedly got very close with her while demonstrating a pose.
Tia Wright, told Fairfax Media: "There were numerous times where he put his hands into my top, felt my boobs, and said 'yes, size B'."
"He'd yell at me and the other models, and get up very close, right up against your body, and grab your hips, and arse, and your chest and twist your body into poses."
Since the Facebook page emerged, other women have claimed they experienced similar incidents and posted screenshots of their conversations with Hourani.
"[He] touched me inappropriately, tried kissing me and told me if I didn't kiss him back then he would be angry ... grabbed my hand and made me touch his erected penis!" one woman said.
"I legit went home and cried. We need to stop this."
Hourani and Sanija Fashion have recently disappeared from online, but his former pagelous.com page claims "Shardz Houranis looks at modelling in a progressive, exciting and unique way, with over 60 models and new models being hired everyday".
"You can be assured to be given a professional and beauty focus answer to all your modelling, fashion, event, PR, and runway needs," it read.
Yahoo7 News has tried to contact Hourani for comment and was hung up on, before a private number immediately called back and then hung up again.
If you're experiencing sexual assault or domestic and family violence, you can seek support at www.1800respect.org.au
News break - June 19
