Meanwhile, Balenciaga immediately made “radical changes” and cut their ties with Maida and Rami. They’ve also written apologies to the models’ respective agencies.

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“Balenciaga condemns this incident and will continue to be deeply committed to ensure the most respectful working conditions for the models. From now on we will hold casting in our showroom like we always did in the past seasons,” Balenciaga chief executive Cédric Charbit says.

Maida, on the other hand, called the accusations “inaccurate and libelous. “It is important to stop the spread of rumours and set the record straight,” Maida tells BoF via email. “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.”

However, this is hard to believe especially since models like Doutzen Krous, Candice Swanepoel, Linda Vojtova, and Joan Smalls praised James’ post. They’ve also voiced their concerns in the comments.