Stylist Leslie Lessin Identified as Terry Richardson’s Alleged Sexual Misconduct Co-Conspirator

Meet Aunty Leslie.

by Hannah Ongley

One of the most disturbing parts of the fresh allegations made against Terry Richardson last week was the presence of a female assistant, who stands around taking photos and whispering praise as the photographer jacks off into the faces of 19-year-olds.

That assistant is now believed to be stylist Leslie Lessin. Models Charlotte Waters, who was subjected to the above in 2009, and Jamie Peck, the girl with whom Richardson suggested making tampon tea, have both identified Lessin as Richardson’s sexual misconduct co-conspirator in an exclusive interview with Vocativ.

Waters initially described the woman present as, “Probably 40 or 45ish…with dark hair and a little bit of work done on her face. I think she may have had fake boobs.” Shown a photograph, she confirmed “without a doubt” that the boobs in question belonged to Lessin.

Peck’s allegations date back to 2004, around the time Lessin and Richardson began to work together. “Oh my God, I just read Charlotte’s description of the assistant, and that is her to a T,” she confirmed in an email to Vocativ. “How does Leslie Lessin sleep at night?”

Lessin is a successful stylist who has worked with celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Cate Blanchett, Dakota Fanning, Debbie Harry, and the cast of Gossip Girls. She worked with Richardson, Blake Lively, and Leighton Meester on that inane ice cream shoot for Rolling Stone in 2009, Miranda Kerr‘s “boots” shoot shoot, and on Miley Cyrus’ couture-heavy Harper’s Bazaar cover spread just last year.

In an undated interview with School of Style, she confessed herself to be one of Richardson’s biggest fans:

“I love Terry Richardson so hard! He is one of my most favoritest people on the planet. He is a creative, artistic genius he literally never ever runs out of fresh amazing ideas. He is a modern master.”

She was also described in that infamous 2004 Observer article as the “stylist friend” who would approach unsuspecting Richardson “candidates” in the Spring Street Starbucks.

We have reached out to Lessin’s reps for comment.