Casting Agents Respond To Mistreatment Accusations

The agents accused of mistreating models by fellow casting agent James Scully have vehemently denied the claims. The duo - Maida Gregori Boina and Rami Fernandes – refuted the claims via an email from Boina to BoF. While the statement said that the duo “commend James Scully for raising awareness of the issues of ethnic diversity and the humane treatment of runway models”, it also condemned his “inaccurate and libelous remarks”.

“It is important to stop the spread of rumours and set the record straight,” Boina wrote. “The pre-casting for Balenciaga took place on the mezzanine level of its Paris headquarters. Balenciaga provided us with the casting facility, and its senior staff was present and actively involved at all times. Over a period of 10 hours, we considered approximately 150 models to fill 57 slots, seeing eight models at a time to expedite the process. Because the reception area was unavailable, the staircase entrance into the mezzanine was provided to us to line up the models. Unfortunately, the building’s electricity went out for a period of time late Sunday evening, and the maintenance staff was unable to resolve the issue. 

We then relocated the models to the reception area to continue the casting. To directly address these accusations, the models did not wait for three hours in the dark, not even one hour. We personally ate our lunch in the casting facility and – without question – we did not lock the models in the stairwell and turn out the lights. That would be completely inhumane. Throughout the entire process, we provided the most comfortable accommodations allowable based on the facilities provided.”

Despite accusations of libel, Scully was unrepentant today telling BoF that this was no isolated incident: “What Maida and Rami did, they have been doing for a long time. They are the king and queen of abuse. I’ve heard stories from girls who were left waiting for so long without food or water that they ordered a pizza, and Maida came out and started shouting at them and calling them pigs.”

It bears mentioning that, while none of the models who were present have spoken to the press, several did concur with Scully’s version of events on his original Instagram post; asserting that they had suffered this treatment at this or previous castings. Vogue cover girl Edie Campbell did add her voice to the conversation today, however, telling The Guardian that the reports of the conditions at this casting did not surprise her.

"It’s also probably not the most shocking example I’ve heard,” Campbell said. “I’ve been incredibly lucky. I have – by luck and by good management – made it to the top one per cent who manage to have a voice and agency over their own careers. But I have witnessed a lot of upsetting things. I’ve seen girls be told to run laps around the studio. It’s a cattle market. The problem with fashion is that it is a very informal industry. Boundaries are crossed and it allows people to behave in ways that would not ever be accepted in any other ‘work’ environment. It is also a closed system. If you speak out, you are faced with the very real threat of never working again. And that is why what James is doing is so unbelievably brave and should be applauded.”

The casting agents accused, meanwhile, say they feel that Scully has “intentionally misrepresented the facts for personal career gain without substantiating the story”. Balenciaga has terminated its relationship with Boina and Fernandes as a result of the incident.