Designer Elie Tahari Sued for Sexual Harassment

Designer Elie Tahari is being sued for sexual harassment by fashion consultant Marcy Castelgrande. In the lawsuit, filed on Friday in a Manhattan federal court, Castelgrande alleges that she was fired after a 2011 modeling session where the designer tried to lift her skirt in a room full of co-workers.

Castelgrande claims that she was fired two hours after complaining to one of the company’s human resource officers. Via the New York Post, the lawsuit alleges:

“Mr. Tahari, unlawfully and inappropriately touched Ms. Castelgrande in the area of her private parts while she was modeling a skirt before a public crowd of at least ten people.”

The lawsuit also claims that Tahari became angry when Castelgrande objected to his behavior, yelling: “She needs to leave. I can’t work with her. She is too sensitive. I’ve had lawsuits in the past and cannot deal with another one.”

Castelgrande worked for the designer for five years, but indicates that the work environment “sexually charged” in her final three months of employment. She is seeking damages of $6 million (though other reports set the amount at $12 million).