Overview

• The New York Times cited nine current and former employees who allege Blahnik was verbally abusive, manipulative, and inappropriate.
• Sources said more than 10 workers on the roughly 100-person team have taken extended medical or mental-health leave since 2022.
• Reported incidents include a 2021 meeting joke about sleeping with Olympic skier Ted Ligety and a 2022 text to creative director Wil Tidman, who later took medical leave and reached a settlement.
• Apple previously settled a complaint alleging sexual harassment by Blahnik and is defending against a 2024 lawsuit by former employee Mandana Mofidi, with a trial set for 2027.
• Apple spokesperson Lance Lin called the NYT story inaccurate and a mischaracterization, and in court filings Apple denied harassment or retaliation and cited documented performance issues for Mofidi.