Naomi Campbell, the British supermodel, is making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Her charity, Fashion for Relief, has come under fire after an investigation uncovered severe misuse of funds.
NAOMI CAMPBELL AND HER CHARITY
The charity, which the model launched in 2005, has officially shut its doors.
Campbell has also been banned from holding a charity trustee role for the next five years, according to Page Six.
Campbell, who’s known for her iconic presence on the runway, is now making news for her alleged extravagant spending habits.
A recent inquiry claims she used the charity’s funds for personal luxuries. This includes lavish hotel stays, spa treatments, cigarettes, and personal security.
NAOMI CAMPBELL AND THE INVESTIGATION
The findings have left many of her fans shocked, according to The Times.
The Charity Commission for England and Wales began its probe into Fashion for Relief back in 2021.
The results have been damning.
The investigation revealed that between 2016 and 2022, the charity allocated only 8.5% of its overall spending to charitable grants.
This means that of the $1.6 million (around R30 million) raised during one particular gala, a mere $5,000 (about R95,000) actually went to good causes over a 15-month period.
NAOMI CAMPBELL AND HER FELLOW TRUSTEES
Bianka Hellmich, one of Campbell’s fellow trustees, was also implicated in the scandal.
She has been banned from holding a charity trustee role for a staggering nine years, according to The New York Post.
The investigation found that Hellmich received hundreds of thousands of dollars in unauthorised payments. Another trustee, Veronica Chou, received a four-year ban.
The report accused the charity of being “poorly governed” with “inadequate financial management.”
NO COMMENT FROM NAOMI CAMPBELL
Despite these claims, Campbell has remained silent. Her representatives have yet to respond to the allegations.
While Fashion for Relief has officially shut down, the investigation was able to recover nearly $400,000 (about R7.6 million) of the charity’s funds.
This money has since been donated to reputable organisations such as Save the Children and the Mayor’s Fund for London.
FASHION FOR RELIEF
Despite the scandal, it’s clear that a portion of the funds was eventually put to good use.
Now 54, Naomi Campbell founded Fashion for Relief after drawing inspiration from South Africa’s beloved Nelson Mandela.
The supermodel has often spoken about her relationship with the late leader, even claiming he called her his “honorary granddaughter.”
HURRICANE KATRINA
In a previous statement on the charity’s website, Campbell declared, “Fashion For Relief is dedicated to improving the lives of those living in adversity. This is done uniting the fashion industry as a force for good.”
Fashion for Relief made waves over the years for its glamorous events.
Celebrities from all over the world came together to raise funds for various causes.
These included disaster relief for the Haiti earthquake and Hurricane Katrina.
TRUE INTENTIONS
However, with only a fraction of the money going towards charitable causes, many are questioning the true intentions behind these star-studded events.
Campbell’s reputation has taken a hit in recent weeks.
FASHION DRAMA
Apart from the charity scandal, the model also faced criticism for her poor punctuality during a recent fashion event, called out by none other than Anna Wintour.
However, Campbell clapped back, stating, “It wasn’t my choice to have the other woman [here].”
While Naomi Campbell may still be one of the most famous faces in fashion, this scandal has undoubtedly left a stain on her legacy. This is especially so among her South African fans, many of whom revered her relationship with Mandela.
SHOULD CELEBRITIES TAKE GREATER ACCOUNTABILITY FOR HOW THEY MANAGE CHARITIES?