Will Fashion Take a Stand?

Everyone's got that one creepy family member or family friend that you tend to stay away from. You see him on holidays or special occasions and you say a really awkard hello just to be nice. Your entire family knows he's a creep, but instead of doing anything about him they say "Oh well. That's just how it is." In the fashion family, that guy goes by the name Uncle Terry. Yeah, I'm talking about super famous photographer Terry Richardson. His alleged sexual misconduct and all around deviance is well-known, but tons of companies continue to work with him. But maybe, just maybe, one petition can change that.

Now posted on Change.org is a petition calling for major fashion brands to stop employing Terry Richardson. Spearheaded by Londoner Alice Louise, the petition already has more than 7,000 signatures. Louise is asking for big brands like H&M, Tom Ford, Mango, and Vogue to stop using the alleged sex offender as their photographer.

"More awareness needs to be brought to light that Terry Richardson is negatively influencing media with his supposed exploit & abuse of certain models, mainstream degrading pornographic imagery, and inappropriate and unproffessional behavior. His contribution to society has a bad impact as he is being exposed to the masses with the impression of being well received while there are potentially unethical practices not being shown. Allegations and complaints have been publicised from the likes of Coco Rocha, Jamie Peck and Danish Supermodel Rie Rasmussen against Richardson."

To give you a little refresher, the allegations against Terry Richardson are nothing new. For years I've been hearing stories about his sexual misconduct on shoots. Some of the stuff is just disgusting and ridiculous. Tampon tea and ejaculating on models faces are the first things that come to mind. Naturally Richardson responded by denouncing the allegations. You would think that with the bad press, companies would've distanced themselves from him, but it's been just the opposite. The guy is working like crazy. I don't get it. By continuing to work with Richardson, all they are doing is encouraging his alleged bad behaviour.

At least one brand has responded. In a tweet a few days ago, H& M said "@kimkonnoth If these accusations are true, it’s totally unacceptable to us. Currently we’re not working with Terry Richardson." That's great and all, but Richardson did shoot H&M's summer 2013 campaign with Doutzen Kroes and another one the previous season with Georgia May Jagger. Things that make you go hmm.

Sound off: Do you think this petition will make a difference? Terry Richardson has yet to be charged with sexual misconduct, do you think we're jumping to conclusions?