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Beyoncé severs clothing label ties with Sir Philip Green

Beyoncé has severed ties with Sir Philip Green after buying him out of the clothing label they co-founded - Capital Pictures
Beyoncé has severed ties with Sir Philip Green after buying him out of the clothing label they co-founded - Capital Pictures

Beyoncé has severed ties with Sir Philip Green after buying him out of the clothing label they co-founded.

The US singer’s purchase of Sir Philip’s 50 per cent stake in fitness line Ivy Park was confirmed less than three weeks after the Topshop boss was named in parliament as the businessman at the centre of Britain’s MeToo scandal.

An outspoken feminist, Beyoncé had been under pressure to end her multi-million collaboration with Sir Philip amid accusations of sexual harassment, racism and bullying against him.

Beyonce joined Simon Cowell in cutting business links with Sir Philip after it was revealed last week that the music mogul had spent £10 million acquiring the 66-year-old’s shares in his Syco firm.

A spokesman for Ivy Park said Beyoncé’s Parkwood company had bought the 66-year-old’s stake following talks that predated the current scandal.

“After discussions of almost a year, Parkwood has acquired 100 per cent of the Ivy Park brand. Topshop/Arcadia will fulfil the existing orders,” he said.

Beyoncé faced calls to cut her business links with Sir Philip after Lord Hain used parliamentary privilege last month to name him as the businessman who had obtained an injunction preventing the Daily Telegraph reporting details of gagging orders signed by some of his alleged victims.

Sir Philip Green - Credit: Bobby Yip/Reuters
Sir Philip Green Credit: Bobby Yip/Reuters

Yasmeen Hassan, from the campaign group Equality Now, said: “Beyoncé has put herself forward as a women’s rights activist. She and her team need to look closely at these allegations.”

Another activist, Nimco Ali, said: “Beyoncé should say, ‘I don’t want to work with Philip Green’.”

Ivy Park, named after the singer’s daughter, Blue Ivy, sells items such as hoodies and leggings, part of a trend towards so-called ‘athleisure’.

It was previewed at Topshop’s Oxford Street store in April 2016, with Beyoncé, who is estimated to be worth £258million, saying at the time: “My goal with Ivy Park is to push the boundaries of athletic wear.”

That was days before the BHS scandal erupted, engulfing Sir Philip and his entire business empire.

The creation of Ivy Park had been announced almost two years prior to that, Beyoncé saying: “I have always loved Topshop for their fashion credentials and forward thinking.”

Sir Philip was subsequently pictured with his arm around her at the opening of Topshop’s New York store.

Their relationship dates back even further, with Beyoncé having sung at his son Brandon’s bar mitzvah in 2005.

Ivy Park items were still being advertised on Topshop’s website yesterday, including a £42 sweatshirt, a £149 bomber jacket, £139 joggers and a £20 sleeveless tank top.

The range, which was expected to remain available in-store, is also sold via Selfridges, Asos, JD Sports and Vosins.

Earlier this week, Mr Cowell said he would have “regretted” not buying out Sir Philip, who he said he “stopped talking” to three years ago.

Last month, Topshop was forced to cancel the launch party for its latest collection after a designer, Michael Halpern, pulled out over the on-going scandal.

A fashion source said of Mr Halpern’s decision: “His brand is about female empowerment. That’s his ethos. He couldn’t go ahead with this — it wouldn’t be a good look.”

Sir Philip has denied any unlawful sexual or racist behaviour and has insisted he had only ever engaged in “banter” with employees.