Tapestry sued by Stuart Weitzman VP over claims of sexual harassment by former creative director

By

Cassidy Mantor

Published
May 30, 2018

Thomas Gibb, VP of product development and production for footwear for Stuart Weitzman, has sued parent company Tapestry Inc., alleging former creative director Giovanni Morelli repeatedly sexually harassed him.

In his complaint filed in New York earlier this week, Gibb alleges that there were "numerous unwanted touchings and endless comments," going on to explain, "HR refused to take any action whatsoever and the sexual harassment continued."

Gibb alleges the harassment began in 2017. According to the complaint, Morelli touched his leg and asked him if he "would ever consider not being straight." Morelli's continued harassment of Gibb includes being called a nickname "Tommy Straight" and having penises repeatedly drawn on the whiteboard in his office.

Morelli assumed the role of creative director of Stuart Weitzman in 2017 after Weitzman himself stepped away from the role. Gibb was hired in March 2017 by Coach, as Tapestry was then known. 

Gibb's lawsuit alleges Tapestry and Stuart Weitzman are also liable for allowing a "hostile work environment" to continue because Morelli was "the face" of the brand. Morelli resigned last week in a move that Gibb claims was a reaction to him contracting a lawyer.

Gibb is seeking monetary damages as well as to change company policy so that employees are not subjected to harassment in the future. Tapestry has not yet responded to the lawsuit but did confirm that it conducted an investigation of Morelli's conduct which ultimately led to his departure.