Maree O'Connor, a plus-size shopaholic turned sewing enthusiast, discovered beautiful fabrics sold online by the globally renowned designer Nerida Hansen. After placing several orders totaling $600, she waited months without receiving her items.
Frustrated, Ms. O'Connor created a Facebook group that quickly gained traction, revealing that hundreds of other customers were in the same predicament, waiting for orders and seeking answers. This uncovering of widespread complaint soon spiraled into a scandal with international implications.
Nerida Hansen had built her brand during the pandemic by offering eye-catching fabric prints, earning her the title of 'Australia's Fabric Queen'. However, as multiple customers shared their stories and suppliers claimed unpaid debts, it became evident that her business practices had come under scrutiny.
Among those seeking answers was Bergen Anderson, who ordered over $3,300 worth of fabric for her children's clothing line but faced similar delays and generic email responses promising her orders would be dispatched soon.
This prompted collective action, urging victims to demand refunds and escalate their grievances to financial institutions and consumer rights agencies. Hansen's acknowledgment of her business mismanagement only added more gravity to the situation, leading to her recent decision to shut down her companies while continuing to promote new ventures.
As the fabric producer's empire crumbles, the community remains vigilant, insisting on accountability and justice for all who have been wronged.
