TLALE'S TANTRUM AT FASHION WEEK
IT was a catfight on the catwalk that could have led to a catastrophe.
A spat between designer David Tlale and US-based publicist Kelly Cutrone nearly tripped up the flamboyant South African designer’s New York show this week.
Tlale hired the highly acclaimed Cutrone to help him set up his third visit to New York Fashion Week. Cutrone’s agency, People’s Revolution, is vital for designers who want celebrities to attend their shows.
But after a fight about money, Tlale and Cutrone cut ties — just hours before the show was set to begin on Thursday.
In a statement issued to more than 100 VIP and media guests who she had invited to Tlale’s show, Cutrone said: “People’s Revolution is cancelling our participation in David Tlale’s show . . . as we have not been paid.”
Tlale’s publicity team immediately retaliated by calling Cutrone “sensationalist and controversial”.
“This is not an issue of ‘nonpayment’, but merely an egotistical, impatient diva publicist who demands full payment 48 hours before delivery of the services,” wrote Tlale’s publicist, Vista Kalipa. “The DT fashion house has taken a universal position with all of its suppliers to settle the full amount with them once their services have been rendered. All the other suppliers for this show have been sympathetic to that principle.”
This did not sit well with Cutrone: she told the Sunday Times that she declined to work with Tlale after he failed to honour their agreement.
“David came to me very last minute but I was willing to help him make a name for himself, which is what we like doing . . . helping big fish from small ponds grow into sharks in this big industry this side.
“I had discussed with him and his team that we want 50% of show fees upon signing, and the remainder of the deposit 48 hours before the show. And they failed to do this,” she said.
Cutrone is a well-known fashion publicist and a judge on the TV show America’s Next Top Model. She has worked with top designers such as Vivienne Westwood, Thierry Mugler and Paco Rabanne on shows in the fashion capitals of Europe.
Just before his show started on Thursday, the South African fashion designer said: “It is rather unfortunate that People’s Revolution have opted to embark on an attempt at a smear campaign, because we were looking forward to working with them.”
Tlale’s team went into “crisis mode” to rescue the event, which included rising star Devyn Abdullah as one of his models.
Tlale’s 28-piece 2014 spring collection featured silhouettes for the office including pencil skirts, shorts, knee-length skirts with layers, and black couture dresses with beadwork.
South African Albertus Swanepoel, who has been based in New York for 24 years, said: “It is sad that David is spinning this as being a victim, as I’m sure Cutrone laid out the rules beforehand.
“South Africa has a bad reputation in the international fashion scene and has never really been on the map anyway.
“It’s unfortunate that Tlale [has created] another negative impression on how to do business,” Swanepoel said.