Anand Jon Alexander, 33, who is being held without bail, made a brief court appearance Thursday.

His lawyer, Anthony Brooklier, said outside court that he believes the women were involved in collusion against the designer.

"We think this is made up of whole cloth, the entire case," he said.

The women named in 59 criminal counts in a grand jury indictment of Alexander are from California as well as eight other states and two other countries. Alexander is alleged to have recruited them through the Internet.

If convicted on all charges, he faces the possibility of life in prison. A bail review hearing was scheduled for Nov. 7.

Alexander made the rounds of parties and fashion events, working with celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Michelle Rodriguez and Mary J. Blige.

In 2003, he was among 20 people profiled by Newsweek as up-and-coming players in various industries.