Model Sues Fash Exec in Sex Rap
November 9, 2005
Helen Peterson, Tracy Connor
An aspiring model says a top fashion executive lured her to his office with the
promise of a catwalk job, then pawed her like she was a hooker.
Kelly Alexander, 24, filed a sex discrimination lawsuit yesterday against Bahram
Hakakian, founder of the Barami clothing store chain.
The Riverhead, L.I., woman claims that in July 2004, she was shopping in a
Barami Boutique when a worker approached her about a model position. She
was called in for an interview with Hakakian at his Garment District office on
Sept. 1, 2004. Hakakian allegedly showed her lewd cartoons, forced her to
change clothes in front of him, unzipped the garments she was trying on and
groped her. He's also accused of trying to kiss her, offering her drugs and
alcohol and requesting that she also sit on his lap and sing.
"I was terrified and I really didn't know how to get out of the situation,"
Alexander said yesterday. She said after about an hour, she bolted the office
and spent the next week, "bawling." After consulting a lawyer, she went back to
the Barami offices and confronted Hakakian while wearing a wire, she said.
Hakakian could not be reached for comment, but his lawyer said he has "denied
all wrongdoing in connection with Miss Alexander."
