Why claws are out for ‘scumbag’ Julien Macdonald

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Julien Macdonald‘s return to the fashion scene was characteristically extravagant. He hosted his show at The Shard in London during Fashion Week, over 1,000 feet above the city. The event received a lot of enthusiastic press, highlighting that stars like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Kylie Minogue are still big fans, and noting that Macdonald, known as ‘the Welsh wizard’, remains full of energy and creativity.

Macdonald, 55, announced his plans to revitalize his fashion brand and increase his public profile. He envisions a fresh start focused on bringing glamour to women, believing his unique style isn’t currently represented by other designers.

However, some former colleagues strongly disagree with this positive portrayal, harshly criticizing Macdonald as unpleasant and arrogant. They allege that he personally profited by hundreds of thousands of pounds while his company, Julien Macdonald Ltd, was facing severe financial difficulties.

I was a huge fan of Macdonald’s work, so I was absolutely gutted to learn that his 2024 show was even shorter than before. Sadly, it led to the company having to close down, and he ended up owing around £524,000 to those he worked with. It was a really difficult time for everyone involved.

Many of the people involved were talented, independent professionals who had worked incredibly hard on the 2023 event. While they were upset about not getting paid, their disappointment is nothing compared to how they feel now that details have emerged about how much Macdonald was paid before his company failed.

A large portion of the money originated from Gabriela González, a wealthy Mexican socialite who famously owns a white tiger named Max as a pet.

According to someone closely following the liquidation process, she made two payments to him: £80,000 on May 23, 2022, and £170,000 on May 25.

Her husband initially paid him £115,800 on December 1st, and then she paid him £94,000 on January 24, 2023, bringing the total to £459,800.

According to this witness, Macdonald earned a total of £970,684 from September 30, 2022, to May 31, 2023.

I was absolutely shocked to learn that Julien was essentially helping himself to £30,000 a month – every month from February through May! And considering he only had five full-time staff, the scale of the show was incredible. They brought in over seventy people to handle everything – hair, makeup, finding locations, even providing champagne and luxurious accommodations. They put celebrities up at the Corinthia Hotel, which is just unbelievably expensive – even the most basic rooms cost around £750 a night! It really shows how extravagant things were.

Another witness adds: ‘It’s incredible that people like this can get away with what they do.’

Julien Macdonald, the designer behind the brand Star (which is owned by another company), said before his recent fashion show that he planned to spend the rest of the year in Dubai. However, it appears some people would prefer he was there immediately.

Macdonald declines to comment.

 

Anna’s vintage drama with daughter Gracie

Anna Friel won an award at the Royal Television Society Awards this week, but she’s been misplacing things around her house.

The 50-year-old actress, who received an award for her powerful role in the BBC drama Unforgiveable, says her daughter, Gracie, often borrows clothes from her collection of vintage items.

Anna is planning to declutter her closet, but her 21-year-old daughter, Gracie – whose father is actor David Thewlis – has started borrowing some of her older clothes, as Gracie develops her own style as a musician.

Anna, wearing a red dress from the 1930s, says she’s not sure what will be left after someone finishes going through her things. But she loves that vintage items can be reused and have a history.

 

Two-job Rayner’s £19k speech 

While in opposition, Angela Rayner criticized Conservative MPs for having additional sources of income, stating that being a Member of Parliament should be a full-time commitment. She pledged that Labour would stop what she called this practice.

She has now publicly revealed that she received £19,000 for a speech given at a dinner hosted by the Management Consultancies Association, and has updated her financial interest record accordingly.

The task took just under five hours to complete, which works out to an impressive £3,486 an hour, or £129,000 a week. It’s a fantastic rate of pay, if you’re able to earn it!

 

Clock is ticking says Carol, 65, as she considers facelift 

Carol Vorderman, known for her mathematical skills, is considering cosmetic surgery. The 65-year-old former Countdown host admits she doesn’t look as young as she did in her forties, but feels she looks alright for her age.

Okay, so I admit it, I’m totally into preventative stuff! I get Botox regularly, and honestly, I’m already starting to think about a facelift. It’s probably going to happen within the next couple of years – I just want to stay looking my best for as long as possible, you know?

Carol is perfectly comfortable with getting plastic surgery. She believes she’s earned the right to spend her money however she chooses, and wants to feel good about how she looks. She emphasizes that self-acceptance and wanting to enhance her appearance aren’t mutually exclusive – she can embrace herself while still choosing to have procedures.

 

It appears author Andrew Lownie, who wrote the bestselling book ‘Entitled’ exposing details about the Duke and Duchess of York, has suffered an injury. He recently fell down the stairs and pulled muscles in his back, leaving him unable to walk. Despite the pain, he bravely proceeded with a scheduled book promotion via video conference, even taking painkillers to get through it. Some might find the timing of the accident, given his book’s revelations, rather curious.

 

Bill Nighy says he hasn’t watched any of his acting work on TV or in films since he first appeared on screen 50 years ago.

The actor got his start with a small role in 1976. He remembers watching himself for the first time on a police drama called ‘Softly, Softly.’ He’d excitedly invited the residents of his boarding house to watch, but was horrified by his performance. He decided right then that he’d never watch himself on screen again, a decision he says has greatly improved his life.

 

Lily Allen’s father, Keith, has added a surprising twist to the debate about who Banksy is. He claims recent reports identifying Robin Gunningham as the artist are incorrect. Allen, who once modeled for a Banksy artwork, says he personally knows Banksy. He revealed that he was the nude figure in Banksy’s famous “Well-Hung Lover” mural in Bristol, explaining he posed naked from scaffolding in a Vauxhall studio for the photograph.

I can confidently say the person identified as Banksy is not who he claims to be. I know this because I’ve collaborated with Banksy many times.

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2026-03-26 03:58