Ivanka Trump humiliated: First Daughter's failed businesses and their scandals revealed
IVANKA TRUMP, senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, has come under scrutiny for her lack of qualifications for this role – but what is often not mentioned is her two failed businesses and all their scandals.
Ivanka Trump 'swept off by secret service' during Kansas visit
During her time working for the Trump Organisation, Ivanka set up two businesses, one in high-end jewellery and the other a fashion brand. In 2007, Ivanka formed a partnership with Dynamic Diamond Corp to create Ivanka Trump Fine Jewellery, a line of diamond and gold jewellery to be sold at her first flagship store in Manhattan. In 2011, the flagship store moved from Madison Avenue to 109 Mercer Street, a larger space in the fashionable Soho district.
However, by 2015 the brand was struggling and the flagship store was “stripped clean” and closed down.
By October 2016, the only dedicated retail shop and flagship boutique for her line was in Trump Tower.
The business folded completely in 2017.
Meanwhile, Ivanka started her fashion line in 2012, which included clothes, handbags, shoes and accessories available in major department stores including Macy’s and Hudson’s Bay.
READ MORE: How Trump election win sparked Israeli rabbis to make Ivanka statement
However, her brand suffered scandal after scandal over the next few years.
After a toxic mix of bad press, investigations, social media trolling and actual protests, Ivanka folded her fashion line in 2018, claiming she wanted to focus on public policy.
Initially, her fashion line garnered criticism from those alleging she had copied designs by other designers and also came under attack from PETA for its use of rabbit fur.
Then, in 2016, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission recalled Ivanka Trump-branded scarves because they did not meet federal flammability standards.
During the 2016 campaign trail, Ivanka’s father frequently denounced the use of overseas manufacturing for American companies, so it was deeply embarrassing when, in December, an analysis found that his own daughter's fashion line was produced outside the US in countries like China, Indonesia and Bangladesh.
Mr Trump's website claimed his vision was to “negotiate fair trade deals that create American jobs, increase American wages and reduce America’s trade deficit,” specifically attacking China in this respect.
Then, in February 2017, Nordstrom removed Ivanka Trump products from their website and stores, citing poor performance.
They told Teen Vogue: “We’ve said all along we make buying decisions based on performance.
DON'T MISS
Ivanka Trump's shock personal decision left Donald 'discombobulated' [REVEALED]
Donald Trump 'wanted daughter to marry American footballer Tom Brady' [COMMENT]
Donald Trump’s snub about Ivanka’s husband Jared Kushner revealed [INSIGHT]
“We’ve got thousands of brands – more than 2000 offered on the site alone.
“Reviewing their merit and making edits is part of the regular rhythm of our business.
“In this case, based on the brand’s performance we’ve decided not to buy it for this season.”
The same month, presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway controversially encouraged Fox News viewers to buy Ivanka’s products, calling it her words a "free commercial".
Donald Trump: Ivanka responds to impeachment enquiry
She said: “Go buy Ivanka’s stuff. I’m just gonna give a free commercial here, go buy it today, you can buy it online.”
It is against the law for a White House employee to use their position to endorse any products or services – let alone that belonging to the First Daughter – but Ms Conway managed to avoid punishment.
In March, Ivanka was appointed senior adviser to the President and Modern Appealing Clothing filed a class action lawsuit that claimed her line had an unfair advantage due to her father’s political status.
In April 2017, the brand dropped multiple stores and it was reported that extra stock was being sold in discount stores with labels that read “Adrienne Vittadini”.
The same month, Ivanka came under scrutiny after she and her husband Jared Kushner had dinner with Chinese President Xi Jinping and the very same day her fashion line was approved with new trademarks to sell jewellery, clothing, bags and spa services in China.
In June, the Ivanka Trump brand, among others, was reportedly investigated for labour abuses in Chinese factories.
Three people with the organisation China Labour watch were arrested by Chinese authorities while investigating Huajian International, which makes shoes for Ivanka Trump.
That same month, Ivanka Trump was trolled on Twitter about the brand’s choice in Father's Day gifts for its luxury gift guide, including a $325 briefcase, $130 turntable and $59 golfer's tool belt.
The brand was also investigated by Washington Post reporters, who claimed workers were so underpaid overseas one said: “My monthly salary is not enough for everyday expenses, also not for the future.”
In July 2017, more than 60,000 people signed a petition asking Macy’s to remove Ivanka Trump’s wears from its stores after other major retailers dropped the line.
Finally, in July 2018, Ivanka announced that she was shutting down her company after deciding to focus on her political career.
She said in a statement: “When she first started this brand, no one could have predicted the success that we would achieve.
“After 17 months in Washington, I do not know when or if I will ever return to the business, but do know that my focus for the foreseeable future will be the work I am doing here in Washington, so making this decision now is the only fair outcome for my team and partners.
“I am beyond grateful for the work of our incredible team who had inspired so many women; each other and myself included.
“While we will not continue our mission together, I know that each of them will thrive in their next chapter.”