House of Fraser criticised for stocking ‘President’s Club’ clothing brand after 2018 charity scandal

House of Fraser has been criticised for stocking a clothing line called “President’s Club” following the 2018 scandal that forced the annual charity fundraiser to be stopped.

The event, which had run for 33 years prior to being pulled, invited exclusively male guests and hired 130 female hostesses who were allegedly told to wear skimpy black outfits, matching underwear and high heels for the night.

The FT reported in January 2018 that women were routinely groped, sexually harassed and propositioned during the event, which was held at the Dorchester hotel in London. One woman even reported a man exposing his penis to her.

At the time the President's Club said they would investigate the allegations and that organisers were "appalled". The fundraiser was eventually pulled.

But a Manchester-based fashion trader later registered a clothing line with the same name, and it is now being stocked by House of Fraser (they are currently stocking 67 “President’s Club” items).

Sam Smethers, CEO of the Fawcett Society told The Independent: "This company is openly trading off the back of one of the most appalling examples in recent years of the sexual exploitation of women.

"House of Fraser should discontinue selling these products now. What message does this send to their female customers?"

The brand sells a range of men and women’s clothing. The female items include skin-tight black dresses and cropped jumpers that expose the stomach.

The website says fashion is “more than a choice” and says it is “an experience”.

Dawn Butler, shadow secretary for women and equalities, told The Mail on Sunday she believes they are "trying to trade off the controversy caused by appalling misogynistic behaviour" and says that no one should be selling such products.

The label’s latest advert also appears to nod to the event’s notoriety as models are pictured scantily clad in the clothing at a stately home.

The brand is stocked on the House of Fraser website. The department chain is now owned by Mike Ashley, the Sports Direct billionaire.

Then-Prime Minister Theresa May said that the reporting of the event had left her feeling “uncomfortable”.

Martyn Warden, who runs the clothing brand, denied that it modelled on the scandal. He told The Sunday Times: “I don’t think that would go down too well, do you?”

According to Companies House, the 56-year-old has been director of 11 different brands since 2014.

The collection is also stocked by USC, which has 97 shops around the UK; as well as Footasylum, which is being merged with JD Sports, although they only sell the men’s range.

The Independent has contacted House of Fraser and Martyn Warden for comment.