Los Angeles  - The Beverly Hills fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander was found guilty Thursday of sexually assaulting seven girls and young women whom he lured with promises of modeling careers, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The verdict came after a two-month trial that offered a sordid portrait of the fashion world. Prosecutors accused the Indian-born Alexander of using the promise of modeling jobs to lure young women and girls as young as 14 to an apartment where he acted out sadistic fantasies.

He faces a further 10 misdemeanor charges that include rape, sexual assault and other counts, and Alexander could face life imprisonment.

Regarded as an up-and-coming US designer, he was arrested in March 2007 after a woman told Beverly Hills police that he had raped her the day before. (dpa)