Pakistani designer Maria B is facing legal action from Turkish influencer Türkan Atay, who has accused the brand of failing to fully compensate her for work on a campaign shoot in Türkiye earlier this year.
Atay, who is married to a Pakistani and affectionately known online as “Pakistani Bhabhi,” issued a legal notice on Thursday demanding $8,000 in unpaid dues and a formal public apology. The sum includes the outstanding campaign payment, legal costs, and compensation for mental distress.
Atay alleges she was hired to manage a shoot for Maria B’s 2025 collection and was promised payment per outfit, inclusive of production costs. However, she claims the brand later issued a lump-sum payment, citing a misunderstanding.
“To support her claims, Atay shared alleged screenshots of messages with the brand’s PR manager. ‘Per outfit with touristic location and professional video [redacted] USD,’” she wrote in one message. The manager reportedly responded with an admission: “God knows how I missed the per outfit part.”
The dispute has since become a public spat. Atay posted a series of Instagram videos asserting that she had been negotiating for three months, only to be blocked by Maria B on social media. “She cannot bear to apologise. That’s why she has blocked me and other people,” Atay claimed.
In a video response, Maria B blamed the issue on a “junior PR girl” and stated, “At Maria B, we don’t throw people under the bus.” She added that Atay had received clothes worth “lacs” and rejected offers to settle privately.
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The brand has called the situation a “payment misunderstanding,” criticising Atay’s videos as “defamatory content.” A formal statement noted, “Full payment was offered, and multiple attempts were made to resolve the matter privately.”
The legal notice, filed on April 24, claims the influencer has suffered reputational harm and financial loss due to “baseless and defamatory” allegations made by the brand. It warns that failure to meet the demands within seven days may result in legal proceedings.
