Naomi Campbell, global icon of the runways and, apparently, of extravagant spending, is now at the heart of a resounding scandal. Indeed, the investigation by the British Charity Commission, made public on September 26, 2024, reveals that the famous model used the funds of her charity Fashion for Relief to afford a dream lifestyle. Between five-star hotels, overpriced cigarettes, and poolside massages, Naomi would undoubtedly have blown up the very concept of "well-being."
Charity… or charity for herself?
Fashion for Relief was created in 2005 with a noble intention: to raise funds for humanitarian causes. So far, so good. But the problem is that Naomi seems to have confused the association’s budget with her loyalty card for luxury suites in Cannes. One example among many: three nights at the Majestic, amounting to a modest €9,400. Room service, spa, cigarettes, and champagne, not to mention perhaps a small bowl of caviar to keep going between two fashion shows. The poor must have really thanked her.
First class, last class in accounting
When you’re Naomi Campbell, you don’t fly economy class, that’s obvious. She would have spent €14,800 for a simple flight between London and Nice. Because after all, when it comes to transporting a few jewels and artworks for a charity event, why settle for a simple FedEx?
The investigation tells us that, from April 2016 to July 2022, only 8.5% of the funds raised actually went to charitable causes. One wonders where the other 91.5% went. But when you treat yourself to spa treatments between two "charity" sessions, you have to enjoy yourself. Apparently, generosity has its limits.
Naomi Campbell: the surprise of the year
Faced with these accusations, Naomi, who apparently wasn’t aware that money doesn’t fall from the sky (or the minibar), told AP: "I am extremely concerned. I did not have control of my association." Ah, that famous moment when you entrust the management of a charity to someone else and, without realizing it, end up smoking the budget in luxury and cigarettes. We sympathize. It’s true that managing an association is a bit like choosing between Dior and Prada, hard to get by without a good lawyer.
On the Fashion for Relief website, Naomi paid tribute to her mentor Nelson Mandela. It’s hard to imagine the latter approving a €15,000 plane ticket to transfer jewels. In any case, if he knew, he would probably be speechless.
A well-deserved sanction
The result: the Charity Commission deregistered Fashion for Relief in March 2024, and Naomi was banned from managing a charity for five years. An eternity for someone who probably can’t go a day without spending half a million on trinkets. And she’s not the only one toasting: another administrator happily pocketed £290,000 for "consulting services." Yes, because it seems that charity money is also an excellent retirement fund.
Tears (perhaps sincere?)
After being decorated with the Order of Arts and Letters in Paris by our national Rachida Dati, Naomi, always impeccably dressed, wiped away a tear or two. And maybe a drop of sweat, thinking of the £344,000 that were finally recovered by investigators. These funds, let’s remember, were used to pay off the debts left by the association. Not very glamorous, certainly, but necessary.
Naomi Campbell, despite her ban on managing associations, continues to shine in the fashion world. But after this fiasco, we can say that she has proven that generosity and luxury do not always mix well. One last piece of advice for Naomi? Maybe avoid confusing her next charitable works with a stay at the Ritz hotel.