Ivanka closes fashion brand to help dad Trump

Washington, July 25: US’ First Daughter Ivanka Trump on Tuesday announced the closure of her namesake clothing, footwear and accessories brand, which had become a target of opponents of her father President Donald Trump.

After experiencing a sharp rise in sales in 2016, the brand suffered a backlash after her father took office, and has been dropped by several retail chains. The 36- year- old Ivanka currently serves as an advisor to her President father, and she has faced criticism about possible conflicts of interest with her business.

“When we first started this brand, no one could have predicted the success that we would achieve. After 17 months in Washington, I do not know when or if I will ever return to the business, but I do know that my focus for the foreseeable future will be the work I am doing here in Washington,” Ivanka said in a statement.

“So making this decision now is the only fair outcome for my team and partners,” she added.

Last year, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus department stores both dropped her line, citing slow sales after pressure from activists to boycott stores doing business with Trump’s family. Earlier this month, Canadian retailer Hudson’s Bay — whose holdings include US retailers Saks Fifth Avenue and Lord & Taylor ◗ After experiencing a sharp rise in sales in 2016, the brand suffered a backlash after her father took office, and has been dropped by several retail chains

◗ 36- year- old Ivanka currently serves as an advisor to her President father, and she has faced criticism about possible conflict of interest with her business

— phased out the brand.

Abigail Klem, president of the Ivanka Trump brand, said in a statement that she understood the decision had been a “difficult” one for the President’s daughter.

Since Mr. Trump was elected President, members of his family have faced continuing criticism that they were exploiting his position to promote their personal interests.