Prominent Pakistani designer Maria B, whose real name is Maria Butt, has issued a Rs 100 million defamation notice to Turkish influencer Türkan Atay in response to public allegations that the designer failed to pay her for a brand shoot in Turkey. Atay, who had been hired by Maria B's team for the designer's 2025 campaign, accused the brand of not fulfilling the agreed-upon payment terms.
Atay had previously filed a legal notice against Maria B, demanding $8,000 for the remaining balance owed to her, along with a public apology. In the notice, Atay outlined that she had been hired to manage the production for the photoshoot, which involved several aspects like location scouting, models, and videography. She emphasized that she had been clear from the outset that her charges were per dress, inclusive of all production costs. However, according to Atay, Maria B's team had misunderstood the pricing structure and instead issued a lump-sum payment that fell short of the agreed amount.
To support her claims, Atay shared screenshots of her alleged conversations with the PR manager of Maria B, where she had reportedly outlined her pricing terms. Despite contacting Maria B directly, Atay claimed that the designer denied involvement in the payment process. Frustrated with the lack of resolution, Atay took to social media, where she shared several Instagram videos accusing Maria B of failing to fulfill her financial obligations.
In response, Maria B sent a defamation notice on Saturday, accusing Atay of spreading false and malicious statements against her and the brand. The notice, filed by Maria B's legal representative, barrister Khadija Siddiqi, states that Atay had posted defamatory videos and Instagram stories, accusing Maria B of being a "fraud" and making baseless allegations related to her business practices. These posts, the notice alleges, had a wide outreach and were intended to tarnish the designer’s reputation both in Pakistan and internationally.
The defamation notice further claims that Atay’s accusations were "wild, shameless, and baseless," aimed at publicly humiliating and degrading Maria B. The designer also emphasized her charitable work, including her efforts to support Palestine and her active participation in social activism and human rights initiatives. The notice demands that Atay issue an unconditional public apology across all platforms where the defamatory content was posted and pay Rs 100 million in damages. Additionally, Maria B’s legal team has requested that Atay stop posting defamatory content regarding the designer.
In response, Atay issued her own legal notice on April 24, demanding the designer pay the outstanding $8,000 within seven days and post a public apology. Atay claimed that when she demanded the remaining payment, Maria B began a “malicious defamation campaign” on social media. Atay's notice also disputes the designer’s claims about arranging meetings to settle the dispute, stating that no such meetings took place.
Atay’s notice further accuses Maria B of misleading the public by falsely claiming that Atay had demanded "extra charges." The notice argues that these false allegations, including those related to LGBTQ affiliations, have caused Atay significant mental distress, emotional trauma, and reputational damage. Atay also stated that her social media following had dropped significantly as a result of the scandal, negatively impacting her professional image and future opportunities.
The ongoing dispute has captured significant attention on social media, with both parties taking to their platforms to express their grievances. If Atay’s demands are not met within the stipulated time, she has warned that she will pursue further legal action against Maria B. Meanwhile, Maria B's legal team has expressed confidence that their client’s reputation will be restored once the matter is resolved in court.
