Turkan Atay Accuses Maria B of Non-Payment for Photoshoot
The controversy has raised questions about the treatment of social media influencers and the importance of clear communication in business agreements, with many calling for greater transparency and accountability in the fashion industry.
Turkish social media influencer Turkan Atay has accused Pakistani fashion designer Maria B of failing to fully compensate her for a brand shoot in Turkey, claiming she was only paid a small amount despite completing the project on time.
Atay, who has over 850,000 followers on Instagram, claimed that she was approached by Maria B's team in 2025 to manage a location shoot in Turkey and was promised a charge per outfit to cover local production costs. However, after completing the project, Atay received only partial payment and alleged that the brand later disputed the agreement, stating that payments were usually made per social media reel, not per outfit.
Maria B has responded to the accusations, stating that there was a "regrettable misunderstanding" and that they were committed to resolving the issue. However, Atay is still seeking payment and has vowed not to work with Maria B again due to the brand's "unprofessional attitude". This is not the first controversy surrounding Maria B, who faced a plagiarism scandal last year over her "Palestine Collection" that featured designs allegedly copied from a Turkish artist.
The dispute between Turkan Atay and Maria B has sparked a debate about the importance of fair compensation and professional communication in the fashion industry. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the issue will be resolved and what impact it will have on Maria B's reputation and business.