Jacqueline Jossa has consulted lawyers over a fashion brand she worked with. It's claimed that the EastEnders actress is considering suing In The Style, which is currently facing going into administration. The actress, 32, has previously worked with the fast fashion brand on a string of collections, including a swimwear collection last year. But now, she is one of several people to have worked with them, allegedly pursuing legal advice.
In The Style is said to have lined up FTS Recovery to act as administrators. It's believed that a pre-pack deal involving its private equity owner Baaj Capital could be on the cards. A pre-pack administration is a process where parts or all of the business are sold off before an administrator is appointed. But sources claim the company has been failing to pay its talent for quite some time. Some have even been vocal about this on social media and stepped away from being associated with the brand, which was once worth an eye watering £100 million. Some have previously threatened In The Style with legal action.
Speaking to The Sun, a source claimed: "Some threatened legal action and managed to get paid some of what they were owed. Others were trying to get money owed to them but now the fear is that if they do go into administration it will become extremely difficult. "Jacqueline is owed tens of thousands of pounds, certainly a five figure sum, so she's consulting lawyers over what steps to take. What's infuriating is they're still selling clothes online including from Jacqueline's collection." Jacqueline joined as the face of the company five years ago, with her deal rumoured to be around £1 million.
On Friday, social media influencer Carys Whittaker who boasts 2.3 million followers on Instagram claimed on her Stories that the brand had purposely been withholding from paying her. In a statement shared with her followers, she penned: "In my 8 years online I have never spoken out about a brand but I can't stay quiet about this. I have worked with InTheStyle for the past 4 years and was due to have a collection launch soon which some of you knew about.
"I feel I have to say now that I'm no longer working with InTheStyle as they have been withholding payments that they owe me from last years collections. I have spoken to others who have worked with InTheStyle and they are in the same position as me. They have withheld payments from people who've carried out work for them yet they are continuing business as usual selling collections and even continuing to sell pieces from my own collections that I haven't been paid for and have ignored all my requests to be taken off the website.
"I have adored doing my collections for the past 4 years and can't believe it has ended like this. I needed to share as I'm always honest with you guys about everything. I have no idea what's happening within the business at this stage but my heart goes out to any staff or customers affected by whatever is going on.". It comes after In The Style saw its revenues drop to £30.4million for the year to March 31, 2024, down from £45.9million for the previous year. The fashion retailer also reported a pre-tax loss of £2.6million, compared to its £7.7million loss recorded the year before. UK sales were down from £42.7million to £29million over the same period.
In The Style slashed its headcount from 179 to 140 during this timeframe, after taking "significant steps to reduce operational overhead by investing in automation, clear strategic priorities and the removal of duplication of task". A statement signed off by the board at the time said: "[This financial year] was a year of realignment and resetting operating practices for In The Style with focus being given to creating robust unit economics on which to trade the business, right sizing of the overhead and developing efficiencies arising from the wider group integration.
"Significant time investment has been made into our business intelligence and reporting suite to surface the right data on which to make robust trading decisions. Through the shift in the focus of the business from top line sales to relentless obsession on net contribution margin, the business has been able to drive significant margin improvements despite a reduction in toppling sales.". The Mirror has approached Jacqueline and In The Style for comment.
