Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been banned from serving as a trustee for her charity, Fashion for Relief, following a damning investigation into financial misconduct. The Charity Commission’s findings revealed that the British icon misused funds meant for charitable causes. Established in 2005, Fashion for Relief aimed to aid poverty relief and support global disasters, but recent inquiries have painted a different picture.
Naomi Campbell Misuse of Funds Uncovered
Over a period of six years, the charity raised £4.8 million but only allocated £389,000 to its partner organizations. According to reports, significant sums were spent on personal expenses for Campbell, including stays at luxury hotels, spa treatments, room service, and even cigarettes. One such expense included a €3,000-per-night hotel in Cannes, France, and €4,000 for personal security.
“The trustees of this charity failed to make decisions in the best interests of the organization,” said Tim Hopkins, deputy director for specialist investigations. “Our inquiry uncovered multiple instances of misconduct and mismanagement.”
Fellow Trustees Also Face Bans
Campbell was not the only trustee under scrutiny. Fellow trustee Bianka Hellmich, who received £290,000 in unauthorized consultancy fees, was also implicated. Hellmich has been banned from holding a trustee position for nine years and has since repaid the fees in full. Another trustee, Veronica Chou, has been barred from serving as a trustee for four years.
Despite these findings, Campbell and her team initially defended their actions. They claimed that the charity’s expenses were justified, arguing that Fashion for Relief was more than a simple fundraising initiative. However, the commission found no evidence to support their claims, stating that trustees had failed to meet their legal obligations.
Fashion for Relief was officially dissolved earlier this year, marking the end of a nearly 20-year run. Once a charity with high ambitions and global support, its financial misconduct has cast a shadow over Campbell’s legacy.
“The funds were misused, and the charity’s mission was severely compromised,” Hopkins concluded.