Terry Richardson Update: Condé Nast CEO Responds

Sister Wolf — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 00:26:21 +0000

Thanks to our writing campaign protesting the unconscionable behavior of fashion/perv photographer Terry Richardson, Condé Nast’s CEO Charles Townsend has responded to our concerns. Note that Mr. Townsend is “appalled” by what he now knows about Richardson’s conduct. Yay Chuck! And yay Andrea!

“People have the power.” -Patti Smith

From: “Townsend, Chuck”

Date: March 22, 2010 10:46:55 AM EDT
To: Andrea
Subject: RE: photographer Terry Richardson

Thank you, Andrea. I’ve received more email on the subject this morning than I can read, unfortunately. I have forwarded it to our fashion people here. They make the creative decisions. I’m appalled at what I have read. Respectfully, C. Townsend

Cunt of the Week™: Terry Richardson

Sister Wolf — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:37:29 +0000

I’ve hated this cunt since the first time I laid eyes on him. I didn’t have to hear a model’s confession about his behavior to know how unsavory a creature he is. He adopts the look of a shady pervert and clearly revels in it. Think how funny it must seem to him! “I look like a disgusting scumbag, AND THE JOKE IS THAT I AM ONE!” Haha, Terry, we get it.

Every time I’ve seen his name on a fashion layout that crosses the line into soft porn, I’ve felt vaguely soiled. Now it’s good to know that he’s widely hated.

On his website, he has posted a terse little note of self-pity. His feelings are hurt, he says. Elsewhere on the world wide web you can find some commentary that goes like this: Big deal, everyone knows that Terry likes to get it on with models. That’s business as usual.

What?!? This fucker is a blight on the civilized world. I don’t want to hear one more word about his huge penis or how often he waves it around. I’m sorry that he has defenders, because some things are indefensible. He uses his power to molest and humiliate models who believe this is the price they must pay to get work. No one is there to protect them or back them up. Not Vogue, Rolling Stone, GQ, not the agencies, nobody.

I know I’m probably preaching to the choir here. But if you really hate this cunt and you want to make a difference, why not send an email to the CEO of Conde Nast Publications Inc? Here’s what I wrote to charles_townsend@condenast.com:

Dear Mr. Townsend,

As a longtime reader of Vogue and W, I am disturbed by the unprofessional and in some cases criminal behavior of the photographer Terry Richardson. I urge you to stop publishing the work of this sexually predatory individual at once. Fashion should not be tainted by the abuse of models, and consumers don’t want to be a part of such practices. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.

Yours truly,

Sister Wolf

It feels good to write to a CEO! Let’s see what happens.