Celebrity fashion designer Andrea Marshall endured an awkward series of moments after appearing in court in New York to face allegations that she operated a sweatshop.
The 44-year-old arrived at New York County Criminal Court in Manhattan on Wednesday wearing a sharply tailored ensemble and a plunging blouse without a bra.
Marshall, whose Salon 1884 label has reportedly dressed stars such as Cynthia Erivo, Katie Holmes and Julia Roberts, remained composed during the brief procedural hearing as prosecutors and defense lawyers addressed the case.
The matter was quickly adjourned, and Marshall is expected to return to court early next year.
However, the designer appeared distressed once proceedings ended. She has been accused of bullying employees and allegedly requiring them to work unpaid 17-hour shifts. Marshall has pleaded not guilty.
She had paired a black high-waisted pantsuit with an ivory blouse, mocha Adidas Handball Spezial sneakers and a matching New York Yankees cap. But her controlled expression reportedly changed when she realized photographers were waiting outside the courtroom.
Her face quickly shifted from impassive to visibly irritated.
Marshall then hurried across the courthouse’s dark green terrazzo floor at an unexpectedly rapid pace.
Celebrity fashion designer Andrea Marshall appeared in New York court Wednesday over allegations that she ran a sweatshop, turning the courthouse exit into an impromptu catwalk
Marshall denies allegations that she made employees work 17-hour days without pay and appeared angered by photographers after her hearing
As she walked, her hips moved from side to side in a stride more reminiscent of a runway model than a courthouse defendant.
The unusual scene left onlookers watching with apparent bemusement as the fashion-world drama played out inside the courthouse.
When a Daily Mail reporter asked Marshall for comment, she accelerated further. The designer and her attorney offered no response and continued ahead in silence.
Her hurried escape proved counterproductive: Marshall missed the elevator she had intended to take and let out a loud groan after realizing it had gone without her.
The charges against Marshall include grand larceny, scheme to defraud, failure to secure compensation and allegedly failing to pay wages as required under New York labor law.
She has previously entered a not-guilty plea to every charge.
Marshall, seen in court Wednesday, has pleaded not guilty to 17 charges, including grand larceny and scheme to defraud
Marshall moved so quickly when approached by a reporter that she missed the elevator she was meant to board
Marshall completed her courtroom outfit with a stylish leather handbag
Her polished appearance and dramatic stride stood in sharp contrast to her previous court appearance in June, when she made a determined effort to shield her face from photographers. On that occasion, she wore a Carolyn Bessette-inspired white men’s shirt with an oversized open collar and a gold Cartier LOVE bangle.
She was indicted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office, which alleged the designer refused to pay nine of her employees as they worked shifts lasting up to 17 hours, bilking them out of approximately $54,000 in wages from August 2023 through June of this year.
At the same time, Marshall would subject her employees to a ‘culture marked by volatility, fear and manipulation’ as she would ‘berate workers and scream at them,’ Bragg alleged at a news conference.
Marshall’s previous attorney Corey Briskin said in a statement to Gothamist he is ‘confident that the truth will prevail and that [his] client will be vindicated’ following a thorough investigation.
Marshall founded the sustainable fashion company in 2021, establishing a studio on West 39th Street in the Garment District.
Her designs have since sold for thousands of dollars through luxury retailers and online platforms like Neiman Marcus, Moda Operandi and Net-a-Porter.
Marshall’s glossy look and bold strut were in marked contrast to a previous court appearance
KEEP READING: Craig Mcnaughton Funeral: How Did He Die? Homes Under The Hammer Presenter? Facebook Obituary and Funeral Update – NewsFinale
Marshall was reluctant to be photographed during a previous court hearing in June
But behind the scenes, prosecutors say, Marshall forced her seamstress to work ‘grueling hours’ with overnight shifts lasting between 12 and 17 hours.
Other employees were allegedly made to work more than 100 hours in one week.
This was not by mistake, DA Bragg said while announcing the charges, noting that Marshall set the schedule, required her employees to punch in and out, and determined their rates of pay.
When their work was then completed, Marshall allegedly delayed paying the employees as she provided them with ‘a series of shifting explanations and requirements,’ Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said.
At times, she would issue nominal partial payments, propose installment plans she never honored, or offered clothing in lieu of the lost wages, prosecutors said.
Several employees were eventually able to win small claims judgments, but prosecutors say Marshall failed to pay those as well when announcing their case against her.
Employees then tried to reach out directly to Marshall for their paychecks, prosecutors alleged.
Salon 1884’s designs have been worn by celebrities including Cynthia Erivo (left) and Katie Holmes (right)
In text messages the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office uncovered, one worker allegedly resorted to asking Marshall for just half the money they were owed.
‘Miss Andrea, please can you pay me half,’ it read. ‘I really need to send money to Ecuador for my children. I really need it, miss, please help me,’ according to the text shared by DA Bragg when he unveiled his case against Marshall.
The staffer then followed up two days later by sending the praying hands emoji.
Another text message from May showed an employee asking Marshall to ‘please… pay me something,’ according to Bragg.
‘I need to send it to Ecuador,’ the worker wrote. ‘It’s for my son. Please, I’m asking you. He’s sick.’
A third text message showed Marshall apparently reprimanding an employee who requested payment, DA Bragg said.
‘You are not allowed in my office,’ she allegedly wrote. ‘I will mail you a check.’
‘She preyed on the significant power imbalance of her employees who relied on the promised wages for housing and basic living expenses, feared retaliation and lacked the financial resources to pursue legal recourse,’ Bragg said in a statement.
‘Hard-working New Yorkers deserve every dollar they earn.’
The company sells its designs for thousands of dollars through luxury retailers and online platforms like Neiman Marcus, Moda Operandi and Net-a-Porter
Shocking text messages allegedly show how employees tried to reach out to Marshall for their paychecks
Marshall also allegedly stiffed independent contractors who provided essential services for the company, including modeling agencies, a pattern maker and a hair stylist, Bragg said in a statement.
As with her staff members, prosecutors say, Marshall repeatedly promised the contractors they would be paid and assured them that their payment was forthcoming, Bragg alleged.
Despite repeated collection efforts and legal demands, though, she allegedly failed to pay the contractors their outstanding balances, the district attorney claimed.
The luxury fashion tycoon is further facing charges for failing to carry workers’ compensation insurance and failing to register the business with the Department of Labor.
If she is found guilty, Marshall could face up to 15 years behind bars.
She is expected back in court on January 13.