Fashion influencer Danielle Bernstein was accused of being “controlling” and cheap by her former hairstylist.
Devin Sutherland described the pitfalls of working with the content creator from 2017 to 2019 in a new interview with the Daily Mail.
“Even when we would travel, she would get me on the cheapest flight possible, and then make me sleep on the couch in her hotel room,” Sutherland alleged.
The hair expert noted that Bernstein, 33, allegedly wouldn’t help pay for her car transportation either.
“When it came down to asking her to cover my Uber, she would say, ‘Most people take the train, babe,’” she claimed.
Sutherland recalled how the WeWoreWhat founder seemed unfazed by public criticism.
“Danielle herself has always said, ‘Haters mean you’re doing something right,’” Sutherland said. “It’s true. I mean, she knows what she’s doing.”
Dubbing Bernstein a “controlling” person, Sutherland reflected on why she had worked with her in the first place.
“Looking back, it was silly, but I was young and I saw it as a great opportunity to network,” she said.
Page Six has reached out to Bernstein’s rep for comment.
Bernstein — who has amassed 3.3 million followers on Instagram — most recently landed in hot water when she was accused of ripping off another influencer’s engagement party speech.
However, the clothing designer’s lawyer denied the claim, telling Daily Mail, “I can confirm unequivocally that Danielle never saw [another influencer’s] video before the claims were made.”
This isn’t the first time Bernstein has been accused of taking other creators’ ideas.
In the height of the 2020 pandemic, small business owner Karen Perez claimed that Bernstein stole her COVID-19 mask and chain designs.
“She used the same kind of chain and the same fabric, and colors as me, that really upset me,” Perez claimed at the time. “When I saw her masks I was heartbroken … I am fed up, for me — as a woman and a minority … I have to stand up for myself. She’s a phony, she stands up for minorities, but she’s ripping us off, thinking we only have a tiny voice.”
That same year, Bernstein was sued by an indie lingerie brand for allegedly copying the designs — though she hit back with a countersuit.
In 2021, a sustainable black-owned brand also accused Bernstein of being a copycat.
Bernstein’s lawyer told the Daily Mail that Bernstein’s clothing brand “takes all infringement claims seriously and investigates each claim it is made aware of.”
“To date, neither WeWoreWhat nor any court, has identified any instance of infringement,” the lawyer added.
Despite the many mounting accusations over the years, Bernstein has managed to grow her clothing company and has collaborated with major sellers like Macy’s and Revolve.
An anonymous influencer told Daily Mail that Berstein was “shameless” when it comes to her business tactics.
“She was one of the first fashion influencers to monetize on the platform,” the insider said. “For that, I actually have respect for her, but that’s about where it ends.”
The source even applauded Bernstein for “not letting being canceled a million times” hinder her from using social media.
“That is kind of impressive to me,” the insider said.
