Columnist: I verified details with designer Kapp re Rosmah's shopping spree

Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) columnist Andrew Hornery has claimed that it was top notch designer Carl Kapp’s publicist who had pitched details of Rosmah Mansor’s alleged A$100,000 (RM325,000) shopping spree during her holiday in the Australian city.

Hornery (right) vouched for the contents of the gossip column published on Saturday, saying that he had verified the details with Kapp after the fashion blog Frockwriter reported on the visit of premier Najib Abdul Razak and wife Rosmah to the Kapp boutique.

“(Kapp’s) quotes are direct quotes, he is on the record,” Hornery told Malaysiakini in an email interview, in responding to Rosmah’s accusation that his claims were “wildly exaggerated and not true”.

Hornery said that, even before the blog ran the story, Kapp’s publicist  had been calling fashion journalists and pitching the story to them days before the SMH went to town with the report.

“Most declined, but Frockwriter did the story and I was very aware of the significant news value, hence, the reason why I made contact with Kapp, sent a photographer to capture his image and published the story in the mainstream media,” he said.

He related that Kapp (left) verified contents of the blog and followed up with specifics of Najib’s and Rosmah’s visit.
“He was as candid as he could be,” said Hornery.

Frockwriter, run by fashion journalist Patty Huntington, was the first to reveal Rosmah’s visit to the boutique, apparently after the premier's wife saw Kapp's collection at a department store.

“A burgeoning Aussiewood fanbase already lusts after Carl Kapp’s chic draped silk evening gowns and killer tailoring, but now Kapp can add political stylist to his repertoire," Huntington had written.

“On Dec 30, the South African-born, Sydney-based designer took a call from someone claiming to work in the Malaysian government, asking about the availability of limo parking near his Paddington store/studio.

“Shortly afterwards, Kapp found himself receiving a party of six and being introduced to the ‘the First Lady of Malaysia’ Rosmah Mansor."
Rosmah should be more specific

Hornery, commenting on Rosmah's denial of the claims, had not denied the veracity of his report published in the ‘Private Sydney’ column.

“She should be specific about what she accuses me of ‘wildly exaggerating’ as the information came directly from the designer himself, including the number of garments she was ordering, the styles and the fabrics he intended to use," said Hornery.

"(Kapp) personally handled Rosmah and her enormous orders and visited her and her husband, the Malaysia prime minister, in the penthouse of The Darling hotel, which is part of The Star casino complex here in Sydney.

“The Malaysian High Commission confirmed they were here on a private holiday during New Year’s Eve celebrations."

The columnist had said Kapp was to be flown to Malaysia next month with a collection of 'toile for Rosmah to try on before completing her order of 61 dresses, pants and tops.

Earlier, Huntington said on her Twitter account that she finds Rosmah’s denial “amusing”, as the latter had “paid upfront” for the items purchased.

Hornery had said on Monday that Rosmah “is quite a source of fascination” and that there could be more on her expenses that needs to be unravelled.

However, he declined to disclose any  further information, saying he intends to publish “an exclusive follow up” in his weekend column.