Designers Claim Ssense Is Months Behind on Payments

Ssense. the Montreal-based fashion retailer that last week announced it was filing for bankruptcy protection, is facing mounting backlash from designers, textile makers, and independent creatives who say they haven’t seen a dime in months for work they’ve done for the company. the Montreal Gazette reports.

Rashelle Campbell, a textile designer, told the outlet she shipped a supply order in March and invoiced for May, but hasn’t received payment.

“I’ve just been getting really short responses from them through emailing. And I have sent countless emails,” she said. “It’s been like that for three months now, and no other explanation or anything.”

Campbell also claims she wasn’t told about the bankruptcy plans—she found out with the rest of the public. On Instagram, she posted a photo flipping off the camera and wrote, "As a small business owner, this news today is devastating.”

“I’m sharing this because I have nothing else to lose and the amount of money they owe me has put a massive strain on my business,” she added. “Not sure what the future holds for me but I do have two things to say 1. @diet_prada contact me and 2. fuck you ssense & pay me.”

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She’s not alone. Another designer told the Gazette he’s owed $37,000, but declined to be named “for fear of reprisal from Ssense.”

“When I first started working with them, I heard rumblings of people or other smaller brands not getting paid,” he said. The designer said he hadn’t encountered any issues until this year and even had to hold back on sending another order shipment.

“They were trying to get me to ship it. I just kind of refused," he said.

A spokesperson for Ssense said in an email to the Gazette the company recognizes “the real impact these delays have on their livelihoods.”

“The CCAA (Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act) process initiated by our lenders has unfortunately prevented us from resolving outstanding invoices for the time being,” the statement said. “Our focus is now on working through the court-supervised process to achieve the best possible outcome for our vendors, employees, and customers.”

Creditors for Ssense are reportedly pressing for a quick sale of the brand.

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