ROMA.- The influencer Italian fashion designer Chiara Ferragni will donate at least 1.2 million euros ($1.3 million) under a settlement with Italian antitrust authorities investigating publications misleading that led consumers to believe that proceeds from purchasing Easter eggs with their logo would go to a charity organization charity for children.
Three Ferragni companies will pay 5% of their profits over three years, with a minimum of 1.2 million euros, to a charity for disabled children called I Bambini delle Fate (Children of the Fairies), according to the competition agency AGCM.
The egg’s manufacturer, Cerealitalia Industrie Dolciare, a subsidiary of toy company Giochi Preziosi, will pay at least 100,000 euros ($108,000) to the charity.
“The payment would compensate consumers who, by purchasing the product, wanted to make a financial contribution to I Bambini delle Fate,” said the AGCM statement.
The companies also agreed to separate their commercial activities, including advertising, from charitable contributions.
Influencer confirms the agreement
Ferragni posted a message on social media confirming the deal. In January, she was fined €1 million for a similar scheme involving communications linked to the sale of a traditional Christmas cake supposedly intended for charity.
The deals were a blow to Ferragni’s image, which she had built over years in the fashion industry, first as a blogger and then as a top influencer and businesswoman who launched her clothing, accessories and makeup brands. She also served on the board of luxury group Tod’s, whose three-year term expired in March.
Source: AP
