Designer Anand Jon Arrested
Beverly Hills–based designer Anand Jon, whose legal name is Anand Jon Alexander, has been dropped out of the lineup at Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, Calif., as he remained in Los Angeles County Jail after two women and a 15-year-old girl accused him of rape and sexual assault.
Jon was to debut his AJ Jeans by Anand Jon collection during Los Angeles Fashion Week, but instead he is facing an arraignment date of April 4. He is being charged with seven counts of rape, committing a lewd act upon a child, sexual battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to the Los Angeles District Attorney’s office.
Jon remains in custody at Men’s Central Jail. His bail was set at $1.3 million but was blocked by the U.S. Immigration Service for fear that he may flee to his native India.
Jon’s case centers around his relationships with models he works with as a designer. His attorney, Ronald Richards, claimed the alleged victims filed the charges as retaliation for being rejected for work with Jon.
One of the accusations came from a 15- year-old girl. Another woman filed a complaint in October 2004, but prosecutors dropped the case. Following the more-recent charges, they decided to include the complaint.
The 33-year-old designer is known as a rising star among celebrity outfitters. He has dressed Paris Hilton and Michelle Rodriguez, among others. Jon launched his fashion line in 1999 after graduating from the Parsons School of Design in New York. While he has lately worked with denim, he’s better known for his eveningwear collections.
—Robert McAllister
