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. Within two weeks it had drawn hundreds of members, according to Ms O'Connor. She had unearthed a scandal that would consume the sewing world - from China to Europe, to the US. In the group, other sewing enthusiasts detailed how they too had been waiting months - and in some cases years - for fabrics to arrive.
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 that set her shop apart from other retailers. Popular with sewists - as members of the sewing community call themselves - her fabrics often appeared in influencers' Instagram posts. Some newspapers had even dubbed her Australia's queen of fabrics.
Nerida Hansen's reputation came crashing down as customers reported that their orders, some totaling thousands of dollars, went unfulfilled. Frustrated and desperate for answers, customers like Bergen Anderson turned to the Facebook group, uncovering a pattern of deceit that startled even her suppliers.
Despite Hansen's attempts to manage crises and claims of financial distress, customer demands for refunds grew. A 2025 public warning from Victoria's consumer rights agency advised consumers to be cautious with Hansen’s businesses, which had resulted in complaints amounting to almost $20,000 in losses. As the situation worsened, Hansen announced her intentions to shut down her businesses but continued selling under new names, feeding further distrust among her customers.
In her communication with the BBC, Hansen acknowledged her failings, citing mismanagement and financial troubles, while insisting she intended to fulfill every order. Yet the fallout from her actions continues to reverberate through the global sewing community, leaving many questioning their trust in vendors like Hansen. Maree O'Connor vows to keep fighting for her rights and the rights of others, refusing to wear any of Hansen's designs again.
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. Within two weeks it had drawn hundreds of members, according to Ms O'Connor. She had unearthed a scandal that would consume the sewing world - from China to Europe, to the US. In the group, other sewing enthusiasts detailed how they too had been waiting months - and in some cases years - for fabrics to arrive.
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 that set her shop apart from other retailers. Popular with sewists - as members of the sewing community call themselves - her fabrics often appeared in influencers' Instagram posts. Some newspapers had even dubbed her Australia's queen of fabrics.
Nerida Hansen's reputation came crashing down as customers reported that their orders, some totaling thousands of dollars, went unfulfilled. Frustrated and desperate for answers, customers like Bergen Anderson turned to the Facebook group, uncovering a pattern of deceit that startled even her suppliers.
Despite Hansen's attempts to manage crises and claims of financial distress, customer demands for refunds grew. A 2025 public warning from Victoria's consumer rights agency advised consumers to be cautious with Hansen’s businesses, which had resulted in complaints amounting to almost $20,000 in losses. As the situation worsened, Hansen announced her intentions to shut down her businesses but continued selling under new names, feeding further distrust among her customers.
In her communication with the BBC, Hansen acknowledged her failings, citing mismanagement and financial troubles, while insisting she intended to fulfill every order. Yet the fallout from her actions continues to reverberate through the global sewing community, leaving many questioning their trust in vendors like Hansen. Maree O'Connor vows to keep fighting for her rights and the rights of others, refusing to wear any of Hansen's designs again.
