Art Critic Accuses Fashionista of Holding His Work Hostage

High-society art critic Anthony Hayden-Guest has claimed that fashionista Libby Mughrabi has taken nearly 100 of his comics and sketches hostage at her mansion in Southampton, as he seeks their return through a lawsuit.

The 89-year-old British-American critic and cartoonist filed the suit in Manhattan Supreme Court. He demands the return of 97 “original paintings and cartoons,” which Mughrabi allegedly displayed without permission for 15 years.

The collection, according to Hayden-Guest, includes pieces valued at a minimum of $1,000 each. He asserts that despite multiple requests, Mughrabi has refused to give them back.

Previously, the two have had a long friendship, during which Hayden-Guest would often accompany Mughrabi to legal proceedings. He stated that the artworks were originally framed for display and sale in her home, as per court documents.

However, instead of returning them, Mughrabi reportedly left the pieces hanging on her walls. In 2024, Hayden-Guest mentioned receiving two offers for art shows featuring his doodles, prompting him to reach out to her for their return.

He even suggested a friends-only price of $750 for any pieces she wanted, yet the artworks were never returned, as the lawsuit outlines.

The legal documents mention that Hayden-Guest had initially thought of the arrangements differently, stating that Mughrabi had committed to designing her own fashion brand in 2023, which he had assisted with over six months at a cost of $3,000 per month, totaling $18,000.

The lawsuit claims that Mughrabi owes him a total of $115,000 for various services and unreturned works.

In response, Mughrabi dismissed Hayden-Guest’s accusations as “nonsense,” and surprisingly stated that she hasn’t been sued by him. The newspaper is currently seeking comment from his attorney.