Designer Maria B has issued a Rs100 million defamation notice to Turkish influencer Türkan Atay.
The defamation notice detailed several offensive allegations made by Atay, including claims that Maria B runs a business under the guise of supporting Palestine and Islam, and other derogatory remarks.
It stated these allegations received widespread attention across print, digital, and electronic media, damaging Maria B’s reputation both in Pakistan and internationally.
Maria B’s notice demands an unconditional apology to be published within 14 days, cessation of all defamatory posts, and damages amounting to Rs100 million.
Atay’s legal notice counters that Maria B initiated a “malicious defamation campaign” after Atay sought her rightful payment.
It accuses the designer of misleading the public by falsely claiming attempts were made to resolve the dispute, which Atay denies.
The notice also mentions that Atay suffered significant mental distress, reputational damage, and loss of social media followers and professional opportunities due to Maria B’s statements.
Atay’s notice warns that failure to meet the demands within seven days will result in further legal action.
The notice came following a public dispute over alleged unpaid dues related to a brand shoot in Turkey earlier this year.
The controversy began when Atay accused Maria B’s team of failing to pay her the full agreed amount for managing a production for the brand’s 2025 campaign.
Atay claimed she had clearly communicated her charges per dress, inclusive of all production costs such as location, models, and videography.
To support her claims, Atay shared screenshots of conversations with Maria B’s PR manager, showing agreement on the pricing.
However, she alleged the brand later issued a lump-sum payment, misunderstanding the pricing structure. When Atay contacted Maria B directly, the designer denied involvement in the payment process.
Following a series of public posts and videos by both parties, Atay sent a legal notice to Maria B on April 24 demanding $8,000 in unpaid fees, legal costs, and compensation for mental anguish, along with a formal public apology.
In response, Maria B’s legal team, led by barrister Khadija Siddiqi, filed a defamation notice accusing Atay of spreading “frivolous, malicious, and defamatory” content on social media.
