Supermodel Naomi Campbell is set to appeal her recent ban from holding charity trustee positions, which was imposed after an investigation found financial mismanagement within her charity, Fashion for Relief. In a statement, the 54-year-old Campbell refuted the claims and contended that a fraudulent email address was used to impersonate her in communications during the inquiry. She argues that this misrepresentation gave a false impression of her involvement in the charity’s operations, particularly regarding the mishandling of funds.
The inquiry by the UK Charity Commission revealed significant concerns about Fashion for Relief’s financial practices. The investigation, which examined the charity’s activities between April 2016 and July 2022, uncovered that funds raised through various events were misused for lavish expenses such as luxury hotel stays, spa treatments, cigarettes, and security services. Shockingly, only 8.5% of the funds collected were used for charitable grants, with the rest spent on non-charitable purposes. As a result, the commission dissolved Fashion for Relief in March 2024 and removed it from the charity register.
Campbell’s legal representatives have insisted that some documents submitted to the inquiry misrepresented her role in the charity’s operations. They highlighted evidence suggesting that a fake email address was used to impersonate her in communications with legal advisors, which led to her being unaware of the allegations and unable to respond adequately during the investigation.
In response to the findings, Campbell expressed her deep concern, stressing that she was “not the person in control” of the charity’s operations. She now seeks to clear her name and ensure accountability for those responsible for the mismanagement of funds. Campbell’s legal team is particularly focused on uncovering the truth behind the fabricated communications and preventing others from experiencing similar fraudulent activities.
Fashion for Relief was founded by Campbell with the noble goal of using fashion as a tool to address global issues such as poverty, health, and education, by supporting other organizations through grants and resources for disaster relief. However, the scandal has cast a shadow over the charity’s intended mission.
The appeal, set to be heard by a tribunal on Friday, February 7, 2025, will address Campbell’s ban and the alleged fraudulent activities. She remains determined to “shine a light” on the ease with which identities can be faked online and to bring justice for those affected by the charity’s mismanagement.
