Key facts
- Naomi Campbell is appealing a five-year ban from serving as a charity trustee in England and Wales.
- The ban was issued by the U.K. Charity Commission for serious financial mismanagement of Fashion for Relief.
- Charity funds were allegedly used for personal expenses, with only 8.5% of expenditure going to grants between 2016 and 2022.
- Campbell claims she is a victim of fraud and forgery.
- Co-trustee Bianka Hellmich was disqualified for nine years after receiving £290,000 in unauthorized funds.
- Fashion for Relief was dissolved in 2024.
British supermodel Naomi Campbell appeared in a London court to appeal a five-year ban from serving as a charity trustee in England and Wales. The U.K.'s Charity Commission disqualified Campbell, citing serious financial mismanagement of "Fashion for Relief," a charity she founded.
The regulator stated that thousands of pounds of the charity's funds were used for Campbell's personal expenses, including a luxury hotel stay in Cannes, spa treatments, room service, and cigarettes. During a six-year period from 2016, only 8.5% of the charity's total expenditure was allocated to charitable grants.
Campbell launched an appeal, asserting she was a "victim of fraud and forgery." In a written statement, she claimed her investigation uncovered identity fraud and deception, including fake emails and forged communications, and stated she has "never undertaken philanthropic work for personal gain."
Fellow trustee Bianka Hellmich was disqualified for nine years after receiving approximately £290,000 ($385,000) in unauthorized funds for consultancy services. A third trustee, Veronica Chou, received a four-year ban.
Fashion for Relief, established in 2015 to unite the fashion industry in relieving poverty and aiding disaster victims, was dissolved and removed from the register of charities in 2024.