A lawsuit has been filed against celebrity hair stylist Frédéric Fekkai and his companies in New York State Court.
In the suit, seven women alleged Fekkai was an enabler of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse of victims and plaintiffs, acting as a “perks machine” for Epstein for over 15 years, enabling Epstein to control and abuse young women while Fekkai gained a financial windfall.
“Without Epstein, Fekkai Brands would not have grown into the billion-dollar beauty product mainstay. Without Epstein, Fekkai product would not have landed at stores like Victoria’s Secret, a company owned by Les Wexner,” the suit alleged.Related ArticlesSJ DenimLevi Strauss & Co. Files Notice of Opposition Against House of LeviiShoe Industry NewsCourt Dismisses Class Action Suit Against On for 'Squeaky' and 'Embarrassing' Cloudmonster Sneakers
According to the suit, Jane Does 1-5, Kersti Ferguson and Audra Christiansen were sent to Fekkai by Epstein during which services were always provided under Epstein’s direction and control. “Fekkai groomed the victims to look as young as possible under Epstein’s direction. Epstein would direct Fekkai to bleach victims blond and groomed them like dolls into Epstein’s and others’ liking,” the suit alleged.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory damages and a jury trial.
Mark Herr, Fekkai’s media representative, said: “These allegations are false. Mr. Fekkai has done nothing wrong. He has no idea whether any Epstein victim was among the tens of thousands of people whose hair was cut every year by the hundreds of Fekkai salon employees. He never participated in any illegal behavior. He knew nothing about Epstein’s repugnant depravity or trafficking.”
Earlier this week, Fekkai was one of 14 people whom Rep. Thomas Massie said should be investigated over their alleged ties to Epstein.
In May, Jeffrey Epstein’s former assistantSarah Kellenalleged that she was sexually abused by star hairstylistFekkai, during closed-door testimony before the House Oversight Committee.
“Mr. Fekkai was astonished to read of Ms. Kellen’s testimony,” said Herr at the time. “Mr. Fekkai never abused anyone. He never participated in any illegal behavior. He knew nothing about Epstein’s repugnant depravity or trafficking. He did nothing wrong.”
French-born Fekkai opened his first salon in New York City in 1989, and was an early mover in prestigehair carewith his namesake brand. Procter & Gamblebought the brandfrom Catterton Partners in 2007, when WWD reported it had about $100 million in sales.
In 2016, Fekkai and his wife, Shirin von Wulffen, bought Bastide, a fragrance and body care brand based in Aix-en-Provence, where Fekkai was born, and in 2018, he partnered with Cornell Capital to buy back his namesakehair carebrand. Sources estimated sales were around $35 million at the time.
The brand is currently sold at Ulta Beauty and Amazon, as well as its own website; Fekkai operates a salon in the Mark Hotel in New York.
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