Naomi Campbell admits flaws in charity she founded, says newspaper

Supermodel Naomi Campbell has acknowledged shortcomings in her role as trustee of the charity Fashion for Relief, which she founded. The information is contained in a report published in The Guardian newspaper on Friday (4).

Campbell, however, insisted that he did not practice financial illegalities or misuse the institution’s money for his own enjoyment during the entity’s operation, according to the publication. Fashion for Relief did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The report was also unable to speak to the supermodel.

“[Ela] perhaps she was not as engaged in the day-to-day operations of the institution as she should have been,” Campbell’s spokesperson told the newspaper, adding that she “never participated in any form of financial illegality.”

Last month she was banned for five years from running a charity after an investigation found that funds raised were used for spa treatments and buying cigarettes.

“Naomi has never received payments for her involvement with Fashion for Relief, nor has she used the organization to pay for any personal expenses,” said a statement on her behalf sent to the newspaper.

The supermodel founded Fashion for Relief in 2005, with the aim of raising funds for humanitarian causes.

Regulators found that between 2016 and 2022, just 8.5% of Fashion for Relief’s spending went toward charity. Unauthorized payments of US$388,000 (more than R$2.1 million) were made to one of the administrators and funds were spent on room service, spa treatments and cigarettes.