Naomi Campbell thanks her family for their ‘unwavering support’ in tearful acceptance speech at French awards ceremony as her Fashion For Relief charity comes under fire
As a long-time observer of the world of fashion and philanthropy, I must say that I was initially impressed by Naomi Campbell’s Fashion for Relief charity. Her dedication to using her voice for good, as inspired by Nelson Mandela, was commendable. However, recent events have left me quite disheartened.
In my capacity as a lifestyle expert, I found myself moved to tears of gratitude when I was bestowed with an honor at the French Ministry of Culture this past Thursday. My Fashion for Relief charity had faced scrutiny earlier in the week, but standing there amidst the recognition and support, I felt nothing but pride and determination to continue making a positive impact through fashion.
The supermodel, aged 54, embodied elegance while wearing a black-and-white striped gown at the ceremony honoring her with the Insignia of Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters.
At the notable occasion, Naomi, noticeably emotional during her victory speech, donned a long Chanel dress from 2020’s haute couture collection. This elegant number boasted a high neckline and sparkling diamond fastenings.
She added inches to her statuesque frame as she slipped into a pair of black satin heels.
Following her receipt of the green ribbon medal, she stood self-assuredly next to French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati.
I couldn’t help but flash a grin as I ran into David Guetta’s former wife, the radiant Cathy, who was absolutely dazzling in her sleek black leather attire.
As a devoted enthusiast, I’d like to share that I’m part of the prestigious Order of Arts and Letters – a cultural institution of France, founded on the 2nd of May, 1957, under the guidance of the Ministry of Culture.
The aim is to honor substantial achievements in the areas of art, literature, or their promotion.
According to French government regulations, individuals need to meet three conditions to be eligible for the award: they must be at least 30 years old, abide by French civil law, and demonstrate a substantial impact on the cultural wealth of France by enriching its heritage.
At the event, Naomi emotionally expressed her gratitude, saying: “To my loved ones, you are my solid base, and I appreciate your steadfast encouragement.
In the world of fashion, I’ve forged my own “chosen family,” a group often labeled as capricious. However, I assure you, that’s not accurate.
‘To the mentors and collaborators who have guided me, your confidence in me has been invaluable.
To all the designers, photographers, stylists, hairstylists, and makeup artists who have breathed life into my ideas, thank you for shaping my journey with your creativity. I am deeply appreciative of your talents. A big thank you. (Merci Beaucoup)
To the emerging models and artists who, by their daily presence, underscore the significance of diversity and authenticity, I extend this acknowledgment in shared triumph.
As a connoisseur of culture, I’m proud to be associated with the prestigious Order of Arts and Letters. This esteemed organization symbolizes a rich heritage of artistic innovation, empowering its members to utilize their platforms and perspectives to make a meaningful impact.
I commit to carrying on this established practice, utilizing my position to promote diversity within the artistic realm, nurturing budding talents, and fostering cultural exchange – an essential aspect of our contemporary world.
Here I am, not merely as Naomi Campbell the model, but as Naomi – the advocate, the collaborator, and above all, a thankful soul.
I’m deeply grateful for this recognition. I’d like to express my sincere appreciation to all those who have traveled along this path with me.
It’s an honor for me to contribute to this esteemed tradition, and I deeply thank both my country and the Order of Arts and Letters for recognizing me.
After being disqualified as a trustee, an investigation into her Fashion For Relief charity revealed significant mismanagement, and it is now that we see her.
According to the Mail On Sunday’s disclosure, records indicated they splurged approximately £1.6 million on an extravagant gala in Cannes, while donating only £5,000 to charities within a 15-month timeframe.
In April, it was verified by the Charity Commission that they had taken the supermodel’s charity off the UK charity list during their ongoing examination of claims of unethical behavior.
Today, the Commission released the findings from their mandatory investigation into Fashion For Relief, stating that the organization lacked effective governance and exhibited poor financial management.
As a seasoned lifestyle advisor, I find myself temporarily barred from serving as a trustee for the next five years, alongside my esteemed peers Bianka Hellmich who will be ineligible for nine years, and Veronica Chou, who faces a restriction of four years.
In the year 2005, the organization was established by its creator, who was motivated by her dear friend Nelson Mandela encouraging her to employ her voice for beneficial purposes.
The organization boasted about collecting over 11 million pounds, primarily from grand charity events held in various locations such as New York, Mumbai, and Moscow.
At galas, Naomi often stole the spotlight, wearing stunning designer outfits, and in 2019, she was recognized by the British Fashion Council for her significant contributions and accomplishments within the fashion world.
However, in 2021, questions arose regarding the distribution of funds intended for those in need, as the Mayor’s Fund for London filed a complaint alleging that a charity owed them £50,000.
Last year in November, a significant incident report was submitted by The Mayor’s Fund, an organization dedicated to assisting underprivileged young Londoners, to the Charity Commission. This submission led to a thorough investigation, known as a statutory inquiry.
On Thursday, the commission announced that, following their investigation, over £344,000 was recouped and subsequently donated to two different charities, as well as being utilized to clear Fashion For Relief’s outstanding financial obligations.
According to the investigation, only around 8.5% of the charity’s total expenditure during the period from April 2016 to July 2022 went towards charitable grants.
Additionally, it was indicated that some fundraising expenses were either unethical behavior or poor management on the part of the charity’s board members.
This included a £12,300 flight from London to Nice in 2018 for transferring art and jewellery.
It also looked into the decision to spend £7,800 of charity funds on a three-night stay at a five-star hotel in Cannes, France, for Naomi.
In such instances, the Charity Commission stated that the trustees did not provide evidence demonstrating that these actions were financially sensible and suitable for the charity’s available assets.
From my perspective as a lifestyle expert, I recently found that during the review process, there was no clear indication that the trustees had assessed the charity’s operational structure to guarantee that its fundraising practices were indeed advantageous for the organization and that the expenses were proportionate to the funds generated.
And it also found some of the charity’s fundraising expenditure was not reasonable.
The charity organized several fundraisers, benefiting both the Save the Children organization and the Mayor’s Fund for London.
The investigation concluded that the trustees of Fashion for Relief did not effectively handle their partnership agreements.
The commission found that unapproved payments amounting to £290,000, intended for consultancy work, were given to Trustee Ms. Hellmich. This action violated the charity’s founding principles.
Instead, an external group of professionals managed and utilized the charity’s funds on its behalf, as opposed to having a specific bank account under Fashion For Relief’s name.
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2024-09-26 23:19