Guess probing improper conduct of co-founder

Fashion retailer Guess has set up a special committee to oversee an ongoing investigation into into allegations of improper conduct by co-founder and creative director Paul Marciano.

Fashion retailer Guess has set up a special committee to oversee an ongoing investigation into into allegations of improper conduct by co-founder and creative director Paul Marciano.

The Los Angeles based lifestyle brand says Marciano “adamantly denies the allegations” made by model and actress Kate Upton, who accused Marciano of sexual assault on social media.

Upton took to Twitter and Instagram to post: “It’s disappointing that such an iconic women’s brand @Guess is still empowering Paul Marciano as their creative director #metoo.”

She added: “He shouldn’t be allowed to use his power in the industry to sexually and emotionally harass women #metoo.”

Guess, which operates 982 retail stores in the Americas, Europe and Asia and another 671 through licensees and distributors worldwide, said in a statement: “As a leader in the fashion industry, Guess? Inc takes seriously any allegation of sexual harassment. The Company does not condone such misconduct in any form.”

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