A burgeoning international scandal has rocked the global sewing community, centering on Australian fabric designer Nerida Hansen and her business practices. What began as individual customer complaints has evolved into a multinational investigation involving unpaid artists, frustrated suppliers, and regulatory intervention.
The controversy emerged when Melbourne-based legal studies teacher Maree O’Connor established a Facebook group in October 2024 to investigate why her $600 fabric order remained undelivered months after purchase. The group rapidly expanded to include hundreds of members worldwide reporting similar experiences with Hansen’s companies.
At the peak of her prominence, Hansen had been celebrated as Australia’s ‘queen of fabrics,’ renowned for her distinctive prints that gained popularity during the pandemic. Her designs frequently appeared in social media posts by sewing influencers and attracted international customers, including US-based Bergen Anderson who invested over $3,300 in anticipated orders that never materialized.
The investigation revealed a complex web of financial difficulties extending beyond consumer complaints. Chinese supplier William Shan alleged his company was owed $52,000 for unpaid fabric shipments, while eleven artists and illustrators from multiple countries reported non-payment for their collaborative work. French artist Clémence Albertus discovered her design being sold through Hansen’s collaboration with European retailer Verhees without compensation or consultation.
In September 2025, Consumer Affairs Victoria issued an official warning against Hansen and her various business entities after receiving more than 120 complaints totaling over $19,800 in alleged losses. The agency documented Hansen’s operation under multiple business names including Indigo Palm, The Kind Merch Co, and several variations of her own name.
Hansen acknowledged making ‘very poor decisions’ and experiencing financial difficulties that led to company liquidation in 2022, followed by the establishment of a new entity. She attributed order fulfillment problems to supplier issues and business mismanagement but claimed the Facebook group’s coordinated refund requests overwhelmed her operations. Hansen additionally alleged she became the target of ‘horrific social media harassment’ and defamation, accusations that O’Connor strongly denies.
The case continues to develop as affected customers and business partners seek resolution, highlighting the challenges of international e-commerce and the importance of consumer protection mechanisms in the digital marketplace.