Hailey Clauson & Jason Lee Parry, Urban Outfitters Locked in Lawsuit

(Updated) Hailey Clauson was a 15-year-old girl rebel, captured by photographer Jason Lee Parry, on testosterone-infused wheels, when these images were shot in Los Angeles in spring 2010. Stephanie Mojonnet and Tara Nichols styled the shoot which was, frankly, not about the Levis.

Hailey expressed spirit, screen presence and sex appeal in a 'coming of age' editorial, published for German magazine Qvest.

Following the thread of Hailey's early pics on The Fashion Spot, there was lots of praise for her early images, but concern that she was coming off as too sexy in every shot. (These remarks are about the images of many photographers, not only Jason Lee Parry.)

Clearly, these images didn't hurt her career, given Hailey's rise in the fashion world over the last year.

We learned Friday that photographer Jason Lee Parry and chain retailer Urban Outfitters and two other retailers are being sued for taking Hailey's image below and using it on a t-shirt.

Hailey Clauson photographed by Victor Demarchelier for Vogue Espana, March 2011"She is posed in a blatantly salacious manner with her legs spread, without a bra, revealing portions of her breasts," the lawsuit alleges. "The image of Teen in a spread eagle position making her crotch area the focal point of the image may portray a child in a sexually suggestive manner and may be in violation of one or more federal and/or state laws."

The lawsuit claims that Mr Parry agreed never to release the image, which was widely distributed on the Internet, after a complaint from the girl's agent at the time.

Hailey Clauson (The Child) made headlines earlier this year, walking in three top designer shows during February 2011 New York Fashion Week, in spite of CFDA industry guidelines requiring designers to not use models under 16. 

Returning to the Jason Lee Parry lawsuit, the Daily Mail says that Mr Parry "specialises in topless shots according to the lawsuit".

These accusations are very serious for a young photographer's career.

In our review of Jason Lee Parry's website and editorials that we have published on our websites, there is no impression that Mr Parry 'specialises' in topless shots. It is true that a few of Parry's website editorials might have a single topless shot in a group of images, a standard industry practice that can be found on countless fashion photographers' websites. 

I don't even know Jason Lee Parry and have no knowledge about issues, promises and prior problems in this case. Jason Parry and I have been in contact yesterday, and I will publish a statement from him later this morning.

As a creative professional, I am very concerned about the charges and innuendos in this case about Mr Parry, and not only the alleged $28 million worth of damages to Ms Clauson's reputation and future career, which must be considered equally.

The suggestion of being a child pornography photographer brings a host of challenges to his career, personal reputation and -- in today's crazy American world -- his liberty.

I only hope that he has the resources to defend himself against these very serious charges. Anne