Naomi Campbell, 54, has been suspended from her role as a trustee of the Fashion for Relief charity for five years due to alleged extravagant spending. The oversight body reported serious violations in the management of funds, including expenses for hotel stays and spa treatments.
Details emerged yesterday revealing that the organization spent £12,000 on flights to Nice for the transfer of artworks and jewelry, as well as £7,800 on Campbell’s accommodation in a luxury hotel. The Charity Commission also found that out of £4.8 million raised by Fashion for Relief from 2016 to 2022, only £389,000 was directed towards charitable causes. The investigation revealed that only 8.5% of the total spending was allocated to charitable grants during that period. Campbell was one of three trustees suspended as a result of the investigation and stated that the Charity Commission’s report was “incomplete and misleading in its examination of the evidence.”
“I fully acknowledge that as a figurehead of Fashion for Relief, I bear full responsibility for its conduct. Unfortunately, I was not involved in the day-to-day operations of the organization and entrusted legal and operational management to others. I want to assure all who have supported us that these findings are taken very seriously. I have tasked new consultants to conduct a detailed investigation into what occurred,” Campbell explained.
She emphasized that she has never received payment for her participation in Fashion for Relief and has not billed the organization for personal expenses. In other cases, her friends have financially assisted her.
“I have dedicated nearly 30 years of my life to charitable initiatives, and I deeply care about the value and impact of my work. Typically, I combine my charitable activities with paid assignments that cover my travel and related expenses. When that’s not possible, either I or personal friends cover the costs. Regarding the specific hotel expenses mentioned in the report, the hotel confirmed that all payments were settled by my personal travel agent, who in turn confirmed that they were reimbursed directly by a third party not affiliated with the charity,” Naomi stated.
Campbell indicated that she intends to explore all options, including filing an appeal, to ensure that the report accurately reflects the organization’s activities. The supermodel did not agree with the commission’s conclusions, stating, “We believe that certain aspects of the report are deeply erroneous.”
