Private Online Shopping – Hawkins ‘Dumped’ From Fashion Extravaganza

As private online shopping websites know only too well, fashion is a tough business and it doesn’t take prisoners!

The latest example of this harsh world comes with news – doing the rounds of those devoted to private online shopping – that Jenifer Hawkins, the former Miss Universe and swimwear model who’s the face of retail giant Myer – has allegedly been dumped from the big budget USA fashion extravaganza. Organised by Meyer and called G’Day, the event is taking place in Los Angeles.

But following a suggested rift between Meyer and Hawkins management, it would appear that Jessica Hart will go instead. Hart, a well-known model from Melbourne is already one of a number of fashion ambassadors attached to Meyer. Kris Smith, who also will attend G-Day, is a menswear ambassador for Meyer.

And the Hawkins label – a swimsuit range called Cozi – is also said to have been dropped from the show.

Fashion observers are talking of a big fall out and the Meyer chief executive officer Bernie Brookes was quoted in the media as saying that the decision to drop Hawkins is the “…culmination of a number of issues…” In short, it would appear that there has been a breakdown of understanding between the Meyer team and the manager of Hawkins, Sean Anderson.

Mr Brookes is quoted as explaining:

“It is my decision and it is also one that we have not taken easily. The issue is certainly not with Jennifer. She continues to play an ever increasing role as the face and ambassador for Myer. The issue here is one of commercial arrangements demanded by her manager Sean Anderson that has resulted in us simply saying it has become non- commercial and not viable for us to have Jen there. We find it increasingly difficult to work with her management, but we have no alternative.”

This apparent breakdown in relationships between Meyer and Hawkins management is said to have first appeared when Marie Claire magazine ran a nude feature of the supermodel. To many observers, it was felt that Meyer was unhappy about not being told that the Hawkins nude feature was on the cards. It’s also been revealed that Mr Anderson has also allegedly placed a number of restrictions of what Hawkins will do for Meyer, further antagonising the retailer and its management.

But when questioned by reporters Mr Anderson is quoted as saying there were no problems between him and the Meyer team. In fact, he alluded to a particular problem which appears to centre on personalities:
“This is a personal issue that the head of Myer PR has with me, which I’m trying to sort out with Myer privately.”

The world of private online shopping waits with baited breadth as to the outcome of this latest spat in the fashion world.