House of Fraser criticised for stocking ‘President’s Club’ clothing brand after 2018 charity scandal

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House of Fraser has been criticised for stocking a clothing line called “President’s Club” following the 2018 scandal that forced the annual charity fundraiser to be stopped.

The event, which had run for 33 years prior to being pulled, invited exclusively male guests and hired 130 female hostesses who were allegedly told to wear skimpy black outfits, matching underwear and high heels for the night.

The FT reported in January 2018 that women were routinely groped, sexually harassed and propositioned during the event, which was held at the Dorchester hotel in London. One woman even reported a man exposing his penis to her.

At the time the President's Club said they would investigate the allegations and that organisers were "appalled". The fundraiser was eventually pulled.

But a Manchester-based fashion trader later registered a clothing line with the same name, and it is now being stocked by House of Fraser (they are currently stocking 67 “President’s Club” items).

Sam Smethers, CEO of the Fawcett Society told The Independent: "This company is openly trading off the back of one of the most appalling examples in recent years of the sexual exploitation of women.

"House of Fraser should discontinue selling these products now. What message does this send to their female customers?"

The brand sells a range of men and women’s clothing. The female items include skin-tight black dresses and cropped jumpers that expose the stomach.

The website says fashion is “more than a choice” and says it is “an experience”.

Dawn Butler, shadow secretary for women and equalities, told The Mail on Sunday she believes they are "trying to trade off the controversy caused by appalling misogynistic behaviour" and says that no one should be selling such products.

The brand is stocked on the House of Fraser website. The department chain is now owned by Mike Ashley, the Sports Direct billionaire.

Martyn Warden, who runs the clothing brand, told The Independent there was no connection.

"We have no connection to the President’s Club charity and it is completely inappropriate to suggest that we are in any way trading off their reputation," he said.

"The news stories criticising House of Fraser for stocking our clothing range are unhelpful in trying to link our brand with the scandal. We find what occurred that the charity club deplorable and we do not condone their activities in any way.

"We wish to make it very clear that the charity The Presidents’ Club has no connection with this brand or the owners of our business and we find the connection made to be distasteful and possibly damaging to our brand and business.​"

The collection is also stocked by USC, which has 97 shops around the UK; as well as Footasylum, which is being merged with JD Sports, although they only sell the men’s range.