Naomi Campbell’s charity, Fashion For Relief, has come under scrutiny after UNICEF reported it to the Charity Commission over concerns about a 2019 fundraising event. This report followed Campbell’s recent five-year ban from serving as a charity trustee.
The ban came after an investigation found that only a small portion of the money raised by the charity reached its intended causes. Campbell expressed her concern, stating that she was not in control of the charity and was conducting her own investigation.
Earlier this year, Fashion For Relief was dissolved and removed from the official register of charities. However, new controversy arose when UNICEF revealed that it had reported the charity’s 2019 event held during London Fashion Week.
The event, which was highly publicized, claimed to raise funds to support UNICEF’s humanitarian efforts, according to a brochure that featured the organization’s logo.
UNICEF has since distanced itself from Fashion For Relief, clarifying that it had no formal partnership with the charity and did not receive any of the funds raised at the event.
The organization emphasized its commitment to transparency and compliance with fundraising regulations.
A spokesperson for UNICEF explained that they reported the event to the Charity Commission in line with their legal obligations.
In their statement, UNICEF reiterated that they take fundraising compliance very seriously and clarified that no funds from the 2019 event were ever transferred to them.
They also stressed that any official relationship with UNICEF requires years of dedicated support and commitment, further distancing themselves from the claims made in Fashion For Relief’s promotional materials.
The statement reads:
“We take fundraising compliance very seriously and UNICEF UK reported Fashion For Relief 2019 to the Charity Commission, as per our statutory requirements.
“We have never held any official partnership with Fashion For Relief and we have never received any funds from the 2019 event.”
An official ambassadorial role with UNICEF “comes after many years of commitment and support”, the spokesperson added.
Campbell’s spokesperson responded to these claims, stating that Campbell never presented herself as a representative of UNICEF, though she had worked with the organization in the past.
This statement aimed to clarify Campbell’s role and involvement with UNICEF, following the charity’s strong refutation of any formal connection.
Despite these controversies, the Fashion For Relief website indicated that proceeds from the event were intended for the Mayor’s Fund for London, rather than UNICEF.
This raises further questions about the transparency of the charity’s fundraising activities and how the raised funds were allocated.
Campbell, one of the most iconic figures in fashion, continues to make headlines beyond her modeling career. She was discovered as a schoolgirl and became the first black British model to grace the cover of British Vogue.
In recent personal news, the 54-year-old welcomed her second child, a son, last year, following the birth of her daughter in 2021.
This controversy marks a significant chapter in Campbell’s philanthropic efforts, raising questions about the management of Fashion For Relief and the integrity of its fundraising claims.
