Freshly released emails from the US Department of Justice have widened the lens on Jeffrey Epstein’s reach, pulling more names from fashion, beauty, and wellness into public view.

The documents outline how the convicted sex offender leveraged proximity to powerful executives, designers, and investors. They also reveal financial ties, social invitations, and business dealings that brought some of the industry’s most recognizable figures into his orbit.

Being named in the files does not indicate involvement in criminal conduct. The records simply document contact. Still, the revelations have sparked debate, especially as consumers question how brands and executives should respond.

Investment in Beauty and Genetic Research

The emails confirm Epstein invested in Allergan Aesthetics, the company behind Botox. At the same time, he explored backing a “personal genome project at Harvard” that focused on the genetic roots of beauty. Messages also referenced interest in research tied to so-called designer babies.

These details reveal how Epstein positioned himself within conversations about aesthetics, longevity, and biotech—spaces closely linked to the beauty economy. His financial interests extended beyond social access; they touched the commercial core of appearance-driven industries.

Several executives whose names appear in the emails have faced online backlash. Some social media users have urged boycotts of brands tied to those individuals. Yet retail analysts question whether public outrage will shift long-term sales patterns.

Beauty purchases tend to follow a routine. Consumers often stick with products they trust. Founder-led labels, however, may face greater scrutiny because brand identity closely mirrors the person behind it. Public response now hinges less on name recognition and more on transparency and accountability.

Leslie Wexner

Instagram | @thecitycelebs | Leslie Wexner acknowledged misplaced trust in Epstein but firmly denied any involvement in criminal conduct.

The former CEO of Victoria’s Secret and co-founder of Bath & Body Works maintained one of the most documented relationships with Epstein. Epstein managed Wexner’s finances between 1987 and 2007.

In 2009, the FBI listed Wexner among Epstein’s “10 co-conspirators,” alongside Ghislaine Maxwell, Richard Kahn, and modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel.

Victim Virginia Giuffre previously alleged that Wexner was one of the men Epstein trafficked her to. Wexner has denied wrongdoing and has never been convicted of crimes connected to Epstein.

Last week, the 88-year-old told US Congress he had been “duped by a world-class conman,” adding:

“I was naive, foolish, and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein. He was a con man. And while I was conned, I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide.”

Ronald Lauder

Instagram | @citychic4ever__ | Ronald Lauder’s name appears in business-related emails, though no evidence links him to criminal coordination.

Ronald Lauder, heir to the Estée Lauder empire, appears more than 900 times in the documents. Estée Lauder Companies ranks as the world’s second-largest cosmetics company after L’Oréal. Its portfolio includes brands such as Bobbi Brown, Clinique, La Mer, M.A.C., and Jo Malone.

In 2014, Epstein created an LLC for Lauder and investor Leon Black to facilitate shared ownership of a $25 million painting. Emails from 2017 show assistants arranging lunches. The documents reference social and philanthropic interactions but provide no indication of criminal conduct.

Lauder, known as a close friend of President Donald Trump, also surfaced in reports about commercial interests in Greenland. The email archive adds to scrutiny but does not establish wrongdoing.

Vera Wang

Instagram | @verawang | Epstein attended Wang’s 2010 fashion show and brought a bride to her showroom in 2013.

Vera Wang appears repeatedly in Epstein’s schedules from 2013 to 2017. Earlier reporting showed Epstein cited her name to attract young women.

Wang told The Wall Street Journal in 2023:

“I never knew he was using my name in any capacity, and it horrifies and repulses me to now hear that he did so.”

The new emails indicate communication continued after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. Assistants arranged calls. He attended her 2010 fashion show and brought a bride to her showroom in 2013. One email from assistant Lesley Groff stated:

“Unfortunately, Vera is not available to meet up at the dress store today. I did request, please be sure to let Vera know you have been asking and hoped to see her.”

Records also show Epstein helped secure a summer internship on Wang’s design team for a member of the Agnelli family.

Naomi Campbell

Instagram | @naomi | Naomi Campbell’s continued communication appears in records, but she maintains she knew nothing of criminal acts.

Naomi Campbell had prior documented ties to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Virginia Giuffre alleged Campbell was aware of abuse, writing in 2020:

“You saw me at your parties, you saw me in Epstein’s homes, you saw me on the plane, you saw me get my haircut, you saw me on the streets, you watched me be abused. You saw me!”

Another victim claimed Epstein promised modeling work at Victoria’s Secret and cited Campbell as a connection.

New emails show correspondence continued after 2008. Campbell requested the use of Epstein’s private jet and invited him to events. Her lawyer told The New York Times:

“Prior to Epstein’s 2019 arrest in New York, my client knew nothing about his appalling criminal conduct… If my client had ever encountered any young woman whom she thought was being victimised by Epstein, she would have personally taken immediate action to help her.”

The emails also reference the late designer Azzedine Alaïa scheduling a 2014 meeting with Epstein, Hermès CEO Axel Dumas, and banker Ariane de Rothschild.

Peter Thomas Roth

Instagram | @peterthomasroth | Peter Thomas Roth acknowledged email exchanges but rejected any participation in inappropriate events.

Peter Thomas Roth exchanged emails with Epstein from 2004 through 2018. After Epstein’s Florida indictment in 2007, Roth wrote to Ghislaine Maxwell:

“Please tell Jeffery how very sorry Noreen and I are for him… We totally feel he was set up to be made an example of…how very sad for him and for all of us. Please also let him know we know he did nothing wrong and will always love him and be our friend forever. If he ever needs anything from us… We will ALWAYS be there for him. Anything! Promise…..XXOO Peter.”

Emails show Roth visited Epstein’s home. In September 2017, Epstein wrote:

“Peter Thomas Roth is coming to my house to explain to all the girls about skin creams, cleansers, and such.”

Roth later sent 13 gift bags. In 2018, he emailed Epstein a headline reading, “Steve Bannon trying to get on disgraced Jeffrey Epstein’s good side.” Epstein replied, “Fun.”

On February 6, Roth posted on Instagram that he was never present for inappropriate activity, never attended parties, never flew on Epstein’s plane, and never visited the island. He stated Epstein had once been his physics teacher.

Peter Attia

Instagram | @peterattiamd | Peter Attia confirmed professional communication while expressing regret for the tone of certain past messages.

Peter Attia appears more than 1,800 times in the records. Emails show him reviewing blood tests and MRI scans and scheduling meetings.

In 2016, Attia wrote:

“Pussy is, indeed, low carb. Still awaiting results on gluten content, though.”

In 2015, under the subject “got a fresh shipment,” he wrote:

“The biggest problem with becoming friends with you? The life you lead is so outrageous, and yet I can’t tell a soul…”

Attia gained wider recognition through the 2022 series “Limitless: With Chris Hemsworth,” where he discussed Alzheimer’s risk with the actor.

On February 2, Attia posted a statement on X:

“I was not involved in any criminal activity… I was never on his plane, never on his island, and never present at any sex parties… I apologise and regret putting myself in a position where emails, some of them embarrassing, tasteless, and indefensible, are now public.”

Deepak Chopra

Instagram | @deepakchopra | Deepak Chopra distanced himself from misconduct while admitting some past correspondence showed poor judgment.

Deepak Chopra appears in thousands of exchanges. In February 2017, he wrote:

“Come to Israel with us. Relax and have fun with interesting people. [if] you want to use a fake name. Bring your girls. It will be fun to have you. Love.”

A month later, he wrote:

“God is a construct. Cute girls are real.”

Epstein responded in one message:

“Did you find me a cute Israeli?”

On February 5, Chopra posted:

“I was never involved in, nor did I participate in, any criminal or exploitative conduct… Some past email exchanges have surfaced that reflect poor judgment in tone. I regret that and understand how they read today.”

Axel Dumas and Hermès

Instagram | @newpower_generation | Axel Dumas reportedly declined deeper engagement, reinforcing Hermès’ emphasis on brand integrity.

Axel Dumas, CEO of Hermès, appears in emails showing repeated attempts by Epstein to arrange meetings. Dumas later told Business of Fashion that Epstein and Woody Allen once appeared unannounced at a Hermès workshop outside Paris.

Dumas also confirmed he declined a 2012 request to decorate Epstein’s private jet, stating that Epstein already carried a damaging reputation.

Emails also document Epstein’s frequent Hermès purchases, including luxury handbags for women in his circle.

The documents paint a picture of access, proximity, and influence across fashion and beauty. Social invitations blended with business transactions. Philanthropy overlapped with prestige branding.

Public reaction now focuses on accountability. Consumers are watching how brands address association, even when there are no charges. Retail experts expect limited financial impact, yet reputational shifts can linger.

The Epstein email releases highlight how tightly woven the circles of fashion, beauty, and power can be. The records do not assign guilt to those named. They do, however, expose how access to status and image became part of Epstein’s strategy.

As more documents surface, scrutiny will likely continue. The broader question remains: how should industries built on influence and aspiration respond when their leaders appear in controversial records?

Helen Hayward