A high-profile dispute between Turkish influencer Türkan Atay vs. Maria B has ignited a social media firestorm. It has culminated in a Rs100 million defamation notice.
Turkan Atay vs. Maria B
The controversy began when Atay publicly accused Maria B. Atay is known for her urdu content primarily. She stated that the designer failed to fully compensate her for a brand shoot conducted in Turkey earlier this year. Atay claimed that the agreed payment was based on a per-outfit rate to cover local production expenses. However, she alleged that she received only a portion of the promised amount.
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In response, Atay issued a legal notice to Maria B on April 24. She demanded $8,000 in unpaid dues and a formal public apology. The amount included $2,000 in legal fees, $1,000 as the remaining payment, and $5,000 for mental anguish.
Maria B, whose real name is Maria Butt, countered by serving a Rs100 million defamation notice to Atay on April 26. The designer accused Atay of making false and damaging claims that have harmed her brand’s reputation.
The dispute has polarized social media users, with some supporting Atay’s claims and others defending Maria B’s reputation in the fashion industry. Maria B stated that her brand has a 25-year history of ethical partnerships and that the situation with Atay was a misunderstanding. She emphasized that a meeting was arranged to resolve the issue, but Atay chose to make a defaming reel instead.
As both parties stand firm in their positions, the fashion and influencer communities await further developments in this escalating legal battle.