A teenage model has taken to social media to warn other models about a fashion designer she claims touched her inappropriately and was allegedly verbally abusive.
Nineteen year old Tia Wright has since spoken to The Sydney Morning Herald about the alleged fondling, claiming the fashion designer, Shardz Houranis, treated models unprofessionally and “young girls new to the industry don’t know they shouldn’t have to put up with this.”
“There were numerous times where he put his hands into my top, felt my boobs, and said ‘yes, size B’,” Wright told Fairfax.
Alleged images of Shardz Houranis which were posted to Facebook by models accusing him of harassment.
“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.”
The 19-year-old from Kingswood in Sydney sent out a warning on Tuesday to the ‘Models and Photographers’ Facebook page about Houranis and his unknown fashion label, Sanija Fashion.
The post read:
*“WARNING ALL LADIES!
SANIJA FASHION label is not a nice brand/person to work with. He will tell you that it is a high fashion label. When all the items are online and cheap. He will tell you that you will be paid and you will receive [sic] items of clothing. But you will not. He is not trained on modeling[sic] or fashion 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.
Girls please be carefull [sic]. Look after one another. Please share and let other [sic] know”**
The Facebook page ‘Say NO to Sanija Fashion’ was created the following day and pictures were posted of the fashion designer allegedly touching models beyond the scope of what is expected on a professional photo shoot.
Many models have responded to the Facebook page and Wright’s post, claiming they had similar experiences with Houranis.
A photographer who has worked with the designer also spoke to Fairfax, claiming Houranis would “touch [the models] inappropriately” and it made this photographer “feel uncomfortable.”
The union representing models in the country, Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) claims two models have contacted them in the past week about the designer.
The Sydney Morning Herald reportedly contacted Houranis who had a spokesperson instruct them to contact his lawyers about the matter.
Both Facebook accounts belonging to Shardz Houranis and his label have been shut down following the alleged revelations.
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