Amor, designer hit a sour note
2008-03-02 18:18
Johannesburg - Singer Amor Vittone is being accused of refusing to pay for outfits made for her by fashion designer Michael Bezuidenhout in December.
In a letter from Bezuidenhout's lawyers sent to her last week, Amor was given seven days to pay the money she owed Bezuidenhout or he would sue her.
Bezuidenhout, who comes from Parys in the Free State, says he made three corsets for Amor for which he charged her R12 100.
"When I delivered the clothes, she gave me only R7 000.
"She was to pay the rest into my bank account the following week. But she hasn't done so yet - and we're already in the third month of 2008," says Bezuidenhout.
Amor says: "Wait a minute! I asked for two corsets and then I received three. How ridiculous is that!
"When I saw the invoice for R12 100 for the three corsets, I nearly fell over. I've always paid R2 000 for each corset Michael made.
"I had two big shows in December and wanted two new corsets - one for each show. Why would I have wanted a third one?
"I gave him R3 000 for each of the two corsets, which is more than the R2 500 that I usually pay, because his work has always been excellent."
Only made three corsets
But, Bezuidenhout says they previously had agreed on three corsets.
He says Amor phoned him and asked for "three or four" corsets.
"I said that because of a shortage of staff I could make only three.
"We decided together on the material and the colours. I finished them off with Swarovski crystals. Amor was excited."
Bezuidenhout claims Amor is misusing him financially. She retorts that he has tried borrowing money from her on occasion.
"I have paid for every corset and given him publicity. But, after this, I can't use him anymore," says Amor.
Her lawyer, Peet Viljoen, says Bezuidenhout's letter of demand is vague and confusing. "I asked him to set out his claim more clearly," he says.