From glossy mags to eviction and unpaid wages: How a career in fashion ended in tatters
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Loading... - Max Schneider
- 01 Jun 2022
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Two young fashion designers who kicked off their careers featuring in glossy magazines say they are now owed more than $20,000 in unpaid wages and legal fees and have been left rebuilding their reputations.
Sophie de Renzy and Zoe Kerr had a dream to work in the fashion industry and had articles published in Elle and Remix magazines.
The pair worked as associate directors for the fashion label Outre Clothing with founder and managing director Pranav Maharaj, 24.
They designed leisurewear, booked models and styled photoshoots, looked after social media and took a leading hand in running the label.
“What happened has had a huge impact on both of us and we feel our reputations have been tainted,” de Renzy said.
“I have long-term anxiety after struggling to get by with absolutely no money.”
But that ended in February. De Renzy said she arrived at work one morning to find a notice on the door of the business from the landlord. It faced eviction from its Newmarket address for rent arrears. De Renzy gave notice and resigned that day.
From that point de Renzy claims she was not paid and was owed wages and holiday pay.
She said she and Kerr struggled to pay rent and buy food and have each lodged personal grievous claims against their former boss.
In a legal letter, de Renzy’s advocate says Maharaj lied and failed to pay wages of $6467.27. Kerr claims to be owed around $14,000 in wages and legal bills.
De Renzy claims she was constantly told by Maharaj that the payment for wages would be “through the next day” but nothing ever landed in her bank account.
Emails and text messages viewed by the Herald on Sunday show Maharaj assured de Renzy the payments were being processed.
Since leaving Outre, de Renzy had started a new job in retail but was upset Maharaj had opened in a new location and was looking to employ staff.
To add to the hurt, de Renzy said despite owing thousands, her former boss sent invites to a boat party on the same day as his birthday in June.
The invitation promised “lots of food and drink guaranteed. As well as lots of networking opportunities.”
“I can’t believe he owes us all of that money but can plan a party like that.”
De Renzy claims Maharaj was “employing more people and just carrying on all while promising us we will be paid and then not doing it.”
“In regards with the salary, we had some cash flow problems in the past couple of months. We had never missed a payment for salary before that,” he said.
“I didn’t foresee the amount, it went a bit haywire and I was unable to pay the girls on time.”
Maharaj said since the business was evicted from its Newmarket studio he had set up in a smaller space in Albert St in the city.
“I have one part-timer and we are looking to get more people on board. I don’t want a repeat of what has happened.
“Basically we are waiting for our things to sort out and we can restart on a smaller scale.”
Asked if it was appropriate to plan a boat party when there were still debtors to pay Maharaj said the party had been put on hold. Read More...
