Pakistani fashion designer Maria B is under scrutiny once again, this time due to accusations from Turkish influencer Turkan Atay, who claims the brand failed to fully compensate her for a promotional shoot in Turkey earlier this year.
Atay, a prominent content creator with over 850,000 Instagram followers and a focus on Urdu-language content, alleges that Maria B’s team hired her in early 2025 to organize and manage a location-based brand shoot. According to Atay, the agreement stipulated a fee per outfit to cover production expenses, including local logistics. However, after completing the project, Atay claims she received only partial payment. She further alleges that the brand later disputed the terms, asserting that compensation was typically tied to social media reels rather than individual outfits.
In a public statement shared on her Instagram, Atay expressed frustration: “It’s been months of back-and-forth. They’ve delayed payments, ignored clear agreements, and handled this in a completely unprofessional manner.” She also accused the brand of deleting critical correspondence after her husband stepped in to resolve the issue, complicating her efforts to seek resolution.
This incident adds to Maria B’s recent string of controversies, particularly those tied to her operations in Turkey. In mid-2024, the designer faced significant backlash over her “Solidarity Collection,” which incorporated Palestinian cultural symbols like the keffiyeh and watermelon motifs. While marketed as a tribute to the Palestinian cause, the collection was criticized for allegedly commercializing a humanitarian crisis. The controversy deepened when a Turkish artist accused Maria B of reproducing a design without permission—a claim the designer later attributed to an unintentional oversight caused by the fast-moving nature of online content.
Maria B’s team has yet to issue a public response to Atay’s allegations. The situation has sparked discussions online, with some fans expressing disappointment in the brand’s handling of partnerships, while others await further details before forming opinions.
As this story develops, it underscores the growing importance of transparency and clear communication in influencer-brand collaborations, particularly in the fast-paced world of fashion marketing.
