Fashion influencer Danielle Bernstein has faced allegations of being “controlling” and frugal from her former hairstylist.
Devin Sutherland shared her experiences while working with content creators between 2017 and 2019 during an interview with the Daily Mail.
“When we traveled, she would book me on the cheapest flights available and let me sleep on the couch in her hotel room,” Sutherland claimed.
She also noted that Bernstein, 33, reportedly didn’t even help with transportation costs. “When I asked her to cover my Uber, she replied, ‘Most people take the train, baby,'” Sutherland said.
Sutherland observed that Bernstein appeared unbothered by backlash she received online. “She always said, ‘Having a hater means you’re doing something right,'” Sutherland added. “It’s true. She knows how to play the game.”
Reflecting on her experience, Sutherland, who labeled Bernstein as “controlling,” mentioned why she decided to work with her initially. “Honestly, looking back, it was a bit naive,” Sutherland said. “I was young and viewed it as an opportunity to network.”
Bernstein, who has a following of 3.3 million on Instagram, has recently come under scrutiny for allegedly plagiarizing another influencer’s engagement party speech.
Regarding the accusations, Bernstein’s attorney denied the claims and remarked, “There’s been no formal complaint submitted yet.”
This isn’t the first time Bernstein has been accused of borrowing ideas. During the pandemic in 2020, entrepreneur Karen Perez accused her of copying designs for COVID-19 masks and chains, expressing her frustration, “She used the same fabric and even the same type of chain. It broke my heart… It’s frustrating as a woman and a minority.”
In the same year, Bernstein faced a lawsuit from an independent lingerie brand for alleged design copying, which she countered with her own lawsuit. Additionally, in 2021, she was accused by Black-owned sustainable brands of being a copycat.
Her lawyer stated that Bernstein’s clothing line “takes all claims of infringement seriously and investigates any allegations made known to us.”
Despite these controversies, Bernstein has successfully grown her clothing brand, collaborating with major retailers like Macy’s and Revolve.
One anonymous influencer commented that Bernstein’s business approach is “shameless.” The source recognized her as one of the first fashion influencers to monetize her platform, saying, “I respect her for that, but that’s about it.” They also admired her resilience, noting, “It’s impressive that she continues on social media despite all the criticism.”
