The Sydney Morning Herald’s (SMH) columnist Andrew Hornery has claimed that it was the city’s top notch designer Carl Kapp’s publicist, who pitched details of Rosmah Mansor’s alleged A$100,000 (RM325,000) shopping spree during her holiday there.
Hornery vouched the contents of the gossip column published on Saturday, saying that he verified the details with Kapp after the fashion blog Frockwriter reported on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's and Rosmah's visit to Kapp boutique.
“His (Kapp’s) quotes are direct quotes, he is on the record,” Hornery told Malaysiakini in an email interview responding to Rosmah’saccusation that the claims were “wildly exaggerated and not true”.
Hornery said that even before the blog ran the story, Kapp’s publicist was calling fashion journalists and pitching the story to them days before the SMH went to town with the report.
“Most declined, but Frockwriter did the story and I was very aware of the significant news value, hence, the reason why I made contact with Kapp, sent a photographer to capture his image and published the story in the mainstream media,” he said.
He related that Kapp verified contents of the blog and followed up with specifics of Najib’s and Rosmah’s visit. “He was as candid as he could be,” said Hornery.
Frockwriter, run by fashion journalist Patty Huntington, was first to publish Rosmah’s visit to Kapp’s boutique after having seen the latter’s collection at a departmental store.
“A burgeoning Aussiewood fanbase already lusts after Carl Kapp’s chic draped silk evening gowns and killer tailoring, but now Kapp can add political stylist to his repertoire.
“On Dec 30, the South African-born, Sydney-based designer took a call from someone claiming to work in the Malaysian government, asking about the availability of limo parking near his Paddington store/studio.
“Shortly afterwards, Kapp found himself receiving a party of six and being introduced to the ‘the First Lady of Malaysia’ Rosmah Mansor,” Huntington had said.
Rosmah should be more specific
The columnist argued today that Rosmah did not deny the veracity of his report published in SMH’s ‘Private Sydney’ column.
“She should be specific about what she accuses me of ‘wildly exaggerating’ as the information came directly from the designer himself, including the number of garments she was ordering, the styles and the fabrics he intended to use.
“He (Kapp) personally handled Rosmah and her enormous orders and visited her and her husband, the Malaysia prime minister, in the penthouse of The Darling hotel, which is part of The Star casino complex here in Sydney.
“The Malaysian High Commission confirmed they were here on a private holiday during New Year’s Eve celebrations,” said Hornery.
The renowned columnist also said Kapp is being flown out to Malaysia next month a collection of toiles for Rosmah to try on before completing her order of 61 dresses, pants and tops.
Earlier on, Huntington on Twitter found Rosmah’s denial “amusing” as the latter had “paid upfront”.
Hornery alluded on Monday that Rosmah “is quite a source of fascination” and alluded that alluded that there could be more on her expanses that needs to be unravelled.
However, he declined to disclose any further only to add that he intends to publish “an exclusive follow up” in his weekend column.
Hornery said that even before the blog ran the story, Kapp’s publicist was calling fashion journalists and pitching the story to them days before the SMH went to town with the report.
“Most declined, but Frockwriter did the story and I was very aware of the significant news value, hence, the reason why I made contact with Kapp, sent a photographer to capture his image and published the story in the mainstream media,” he said.
He related that Kapp verified contents of the blog and followed up with specifics of Najib’s and Rosmah’s visit. “He was as candid as he could be,” said Hornery.
Frockwriter, run by fashion journalist Patty Huntington, was first to publish Rosmah’s visit to Kapp’s boutique after having seen the latter’s collection at a departmental store.
“A burgeoning Aussiewood fanbase already lusts after Carl Kapp’s chic draped silk evening gowns and killer tailoring, but now Kapp can add political stylist to his repertoire.
“On Dec 30, the South African-born, Sydney-based designer took a call from someone claiming to work in the Malaysian government, asking about the availability of limo parking near his Paddington store/studio.
“Shortly afterwards, Kapp found himself receiving a party of six and being introduced to the ‘the First Lady of Malaysia’ Rosmah Mansor,” Huntington had said.
Rosmah should be more specific
The columnist argued today that Rosmah did not deny the veracity of his report published in SMH’s ‘Private Sydney’ column.
“She should be specific about what she accuses me of ‘wildly exaggerating’ as the information came directly from the designer himself, including the number of garments she was ordering, the styles and the fabrics he intended to use.
“He (Kapp) personally handled Rosmah and her enormous orders and visited her and her husband, the Malaysia prime minister, in the penthouse of The Darling hotel, which is part of The Star casino complex here in Sydney.
“The Malaysian High Commission confirmed they were here on a private holiday during New Year’s Eve celebrations,” said Hornery.
The renowned columnist also said Kapp is being flown out to Malaysia next month a collection of toiles for Rosmah to try on before completing her order of 61 dresses, pants and tops.
Earlier on, Huntington on Twitter found Rosmah’s denial “amusing” as the latter had “paid upfront”.
Hornery alluded on Monday that Rosmah “is quite a source of fascination” and alluded that alluded that there could be more on her expanses that needs to be unravelled.
However, he declined to disclose any further only to add that he intends to publish “an exclusive follow up” in his weekend column.
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