At 6ft tall and plus-size, shop-bought clothes had never fitted Maree O'Connor well. Sewing offered her a solution - allowing her to use beautiful fabrics to make garments that fit just right. One day, while on the lookout for colourful prints to make new dresses, she spotted some 'amazing' fabrics being sold online. Enticed by a yellow floral pattern and another black-and-white abstract design, she splashed out $600 (£450, A$900) on three orders. Months later, none had arrived.
It was October 2024, and tired of waiting, the legal studies teacher from Melbourne, Australia, decided to set up a Facebook group to try to find out if anyone else was in the same boat. The group exploded, attracting hundreds of members within two weeks. She had unearthed a scandal consuming the sewing world - from China to Europe, to the US.
At the centre of the controversy was globally renowned designer, Nerida Hansen. Her company had grown rapidly during the pandemic, when she made a name for herself selling bold, distinctive fashion prints. Popular with sewists around the world, her fabrics often appeared in influencers' Instagram posts. Some newspapers dubbed her Australia's queen of fabrics.
However, many customers reported long delays and unanswered inquiries. Maree O'Connor and others began sharing stories about their experiences, prompting concerns over Hansen's business practices; allegations of non-payment for fabric shipments began surfacing, affecting suppliers as well.
In response, Consumer Affairs Victoria issued a public warning against Hansen and her businesses in September 2025. Complaints had exceeded 120, with customers losing over $19,800 (£14,900; A$30,000) in total. Hansen later admitted to making poor decisions and claimed financial difficulties led to her business's decline, yet she continued her operations under different business names.
The article highlights the intricate dynamics between consumer trust, business ethics, and the potential for community-driven accountability in the face of corporate mismanagement.
