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Turkish digital creator Türkan Atay has raised concerns over a payment dispute and alleged unprofessional behavior in her collaboration with Pakistani fashion designer Maria B.
The issue stems from a photoshoot collaboration in Turkey, which Türkan claims has not been fully compensated, despite clear communication and documented agreements.
Türkan shared the backstory on her social media platforms, saying,
“I told you in my stories that I had been facing issues with a brand named Maria B, but you didn’t believe me. In 2025, she approached me again for a photoshoot in Turkey. Here in Turkey, we have a different setup for shoots — we have to pay for the venue, model, and other elements per outfit. That’s why I charged her per dress, because I had to cover all expenses, including the location, venue, etc.”
She further stated,
“I gave her my quotation and have all the messages as proof. I did the shoot, made the video, and posted everything on social media. She paid me a lump sum, but I had clearly told her that I charge per dress.”
Maria B’s team, on the other hand, reportedly claimed there had been a misunderstanding, explaining that their payment model is usually based on reels, not outfits. This difference in expectations, Türkan insists, was never part of the agreement.
Three Months, No Resolution
Türkan expressed frustration over the delay in payment and lack of response:
“It’s been three months now — they’ve been wasting my time and treating me like a fool. Please return my money. That is my money, and I have every right to do whatever I want with it. I will never work with you again. I’m extremely angry at your unprofessional attitude.”
She also clapped back at Maria B’s Instagram stories:
“Maria Baji, ‘I can hear you loud and clear, but I have the proofs of our entire chat’. She didn’t even reply to me and said that these things are handled by her manager. Later, my husband also talked to her. She deleted all her messages afterwards, but I have all the proofs and I would share the screenshots here. Why did you delete your messages? Why didn’t you pay our money?”
Beyond Money: A Matter of Self-Respect
In another post, Türkan emphasized that this isn’t just about the money.
“The main thing that matters for us influencers is our self-respect… if they pay me now, I will give all the money to the needy people.”
She accused the brand of trying to paint her as someone seeking “cheap publicity and views.”
Maria B Responds
In response to the accusations, Maria B’s official statement read:
“At MARIA.B., we have always valued our partnerships with creators, models, and influencers… There was a regrettable misunderstanding that we were committed to resolving. At no point was the payment denied. A meeting had been set up to address the issue, but the influencer chose to make a defaming reel instead of accepting to resolve the issue amicably.”
However, the situation escalated when the brand’s clarifying post was quietly removed, leading to an even stronger online backlash.
Backlash and Broader Reactions
The incident has triggered a wave of criticism from both the public and fellow artists. Notably, activist Leena Ghani condemned Maria B’s actions:
“Maria the B really can’t help herself. Is this why she loves Turkey? Because now that people in Pakistan know her tactics, she’s outsourcing the exploitation?”
Another scathing remark read:
“Falasteen k haq mei awaz uthaatay uthaatay, apno ka haq kha gai 😂”
Many followers have voiced support for Türkan, urging legal action and boycotting the brand.
Türkan, who completed her education in Pakistan and is married to a Pakistani man named Zaka, is often affectionately called “Pakistani Bhabhi.” She boasts 853K Instagram followers and primarily creates Urdu-language content, a rare and beloved bridge between the Turkish and Pakistani communities.
In a final clap-back, she posted a picture wearing a Maria B outfit, writing:
“This is a slap for that brand that doesn’t want to collab because of my scarf… SCARF SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM.”
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The ongoing fallout from this dispute highlights the need for ethical practices in brand-influencer collaborations, especially in cross-cultural projects where clarity and trust are paramount.
