The UK Charity Commission has disqualified Naomi Campbell from managing a charity due to financial misconduct.
The inquiry revealed that funds from her organisation, Fashion for Relief, were misused for personal luxury expenses.
Misuse of Charity Funds
The UK Charity Commission’s investigation disclosed that Naomi Campbell’s charity, Fashion for Relief, spent funds on spa treatments and five-star hotel stays. These expenditures were not related to the charity’s mission.
One instance highlighted was a £7,800 hotel stay in the south of France, including significant room service and spa treatments, all charged to the charity.
The Commission found that only 8.5 percent of the charity’s overall expenditure from 2016 to 2022 was utilised for actual charitable grants, indicating severe mismanagement.
Investigation and Findings
The probe conducted by the Charity Commission examined the charity’s finances between April 2016 and July 2022. Numerous instances of financial misconduct were identified.
Campbell was disqualified from running a charity for five years. Two other trustees were also banned.
In response to the findings, Campbell stated she was not responsible for the fund mismanagement, attributing control to a lawyer.
Public Denial of Responsibility
After being honoured in Paris by the French government, Campbell denied responsibility for the financial discrepancies.
She claimed, “I was not in control of my charity. I put the control in the hands of a lawyer,” in an attempt to distance herself from the misconduct. In addition, she emphasized her ongoing efforts to investigate the mismanagement.
Campbell reiterated that all funds she raised were intended for charitable causes, stating, “Everything I do and every penny I ever raised goes towards charities.”
Glamorous Fundraising Events
Fashion for Relief held numerous high-profile events to raise funds, featuring celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Uma Thurman. These events were described as glitzy and extravagant.
One notable event in Cannes in 2017 saw over 1,000 guests, including famous actors and philanthropists, contributing to the charity’s cause.
Despite their intent to support child refugees and disaster victims, the Charity Commission noted that the trustees did not ensure that event expenses were reasonable.
Specific Expenses Highlighted
The Charity Commission’s report highlighted various questionable expenses, including a three-night hotel stay costing £7,800 for Campbell.
Additional expenses for Campbell’s luxury hotel stay included £6,600 spent on spa treatments, room service, and cigarettes.
Support for these expenditures could not be substantiated by the trustees, who claimed that a donor typically covered such costs.
Charity’s Mission and Dissolution
Fashion for Relief, established in 2005, aimed to improve lives of those in adversity by leveraging the fashion industry.
Despite its noble mission, the charity was removed from the register earlier this year due to the misconduct and mismanagement discovered.
The dissolution of Fashion for Relief marked the end of its charitable activities after nearly two decades of operation.
Naomi Campbell’s Legacy
Campbell’s influence in the fashion industry remains notable. She was the first black model to grace the cover of UK Vogue in 20 years.
An exhibition dedicated to her career opened at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London this June.
Although her charity career has come under scrutiny, Campbell continues to be a prominent figure in fashion and entertainment.
The disqualification of Naomi Campbell and two trustees from Fashion for Relief underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in charitable organisations.
Proper management and oversight are essential to maintain public trust and ensure that charitable funds are used appropriately.
