Alexander Wang has responded to allegations of sexual assault which began surfacing on social media earlier this week. 

Initially called out by British model Owen Mooney, who created a TikTok in which he claimed the American designer grabbed his crotch at a CupcakKe gig in New York in 2017, Mooney’s post was later amplified by Shit Model Management. In the days that followed, the account shared further claims of sexual misconduct by Wang to its Instagram stories, largely submitted by people who wished to remain anonymous. A number of posts, including Mooney’s, were then shared in a post by IG fashion watchdogs Diet Prada.

Now, Wang has said the allegations levelled against him are “grotesquely false” in a statement issued to Dazed. “Over the last few days, I have been on the receiving end of baseless and grotesquely false accusations. These claims have been wrongfully amplified by social media accounts infamous for posting defamatory material from undisclosed and/or anonymous sources with zero evidence or any fact checking whatsoever.” 

Others accusing Wang of sexual misconduct include trans model and actor Gia Garison, who came forward with details of another alleged incident taking place at the same party Mooney attended. “He (Wang) tried to pull my panties down and expose my genitals in the VIP area,” she claims. 

According to The Guardian, one man known only as Nick claimed he had been partying with Wang when he blacked out and awoke to find him giving him a handjob. He claims he later blacked out for the second time in an Uber with Wang, waking up to find him performing oral sex on him. Others allege the designer spiked their drinks with MDMA or that they witnessed him drugging partygoers.

“Seeing these lies about me being perpetuated as truths has been infuriating,” Wang’s statement continues. “I have never engaged in the atrocious behavior described and would never conduct myself in the manner that’s been alleged. I intend to get to the bottom of this and hold accountable whoever is responsible for originating these claims and viciously spreading them online.” 

The Model Alliance posted in solidarity with those accusing Wang of sexual misconduct, criticising fashion’s lack of transparency and accountability for leaving models “vulnerable to abuse, regardless of their sex or gender identity”. Founded by model Sarah Ziff in 2012, the nonprofit organisation has spent the last nine years campaigning for fairer, safer conditions for those working in the industry. Shit Model Management later thanked the alliance for “holding him accountable”.