Influencer slammed over 'disgusting' Ukraine post: 'Cancel her already'

WeWoreWhat founder and influencer Danielle Bernstein has been slammed over a post about the conflict between Ukraine and Russia that was marketing a new clothing launch.

Danielle, who has 2.8 million followers, shared a series of bikini shots last week with a caption, which has since been edited, that read: "When I say you can do both, I truly mean it. You can post about fashion and post about world issues. You can raise awareness for your new collection while also raising money to give back.

"You can go about your day while also showing compassion and reaching out to others. What's going on in the world right now is terrifying, and I know posting a photo in a bikini isn't helping anyone – but you know what will? The proceeds from this swim launch going towards an on-the-ground organisation in Ukraine."

She continued, "Stay tuned for more on the giveback for this collection [available March 1st]."

The post was shared with its original caption by the Diet Prada Instagram account, a fashion watchdog account.

RELATED

• John Cena slammed for 'insensitive' Ukraine tweet: 'Not the time' 

• DWTS' Maksim Chmerkovskiy's tearful post from Kyiv: 'Want to go back home' 

• Harry and Meghan mocked for speaking out about Ukraine: 'What a joke!'

When she began receiving backlash, Danielle then edited her caption to instead read: "Almost every single @shopweworewhat launch has given back hundreds of thousands of dollars to an extremely important cause and I couldn’t be more proud of that. This will be no different.

"Two days ago our team sent $250,000 worth of refugee relief to Ukraine. Because of the current situation we are delaying the launch date and making a second donation of $5,000 to our @wegavewhat partners @globalempowermentmission TODAY, because we know it is needed NOW."

She added, "Once we release the collection we will provide additional support and a third financial donation with a portion of proceeds."

Diet Prada wrote, "It's the caption change for me," with many users sharing their thoughts on the matter in the comments.

"Just another thing to add to the list of disgusting things she’s done..." one user wrote.

"Each sentence gets worse," another said.

"Wowwwwww…and just when I thought there couldn’t be a grosser way to center yourself during this crisis," a third added.

"Performance activism, is quite literally, the death of change and reform. Scary to think about," someone else wrote.

"WOW. Never ever buying or wearing!" another said.

"Can we cancel her already?! She’s been in so many messes how do people still support this chic..." one user added.

"To try and profit from a war is the lowest of low," another said. "This is just horrendous. WTF is wrong with her!!!!!"

However, Heidi Kaluza, a sustainable fashion influencer who posts under @the_rogue_essentials, claims Danielle's $250,000 donation was "not true", saying an event she hosted raised that much money with "no info... about where it went".

She added that no one needs to buy anything in order to donate money and that they can instead donate directly to a charity.

Danielle then shared a post from @WeGaveWhat, the philanthropic arm of @WeWoreWhat, saying they've raised $22,000 for Global Empowerment Mission to support refugees

The influencer has previously been called out for copying small businesses' designs including jewellery, clothing and face masks, as well as for teaching her followers how to hide cellulite on social media.

Love Island star under fire

A former Love Island star is also under fire for asking followers to subscribe to her adult website so she could donate money to Queenslanders affected by the floods.

Phoebe Thompson, 31, was met by backlash as followers suggested she wanted to benefit from the subscribers too.

"So in other words you want to help but u also want to [be] taken note of and make money through it too," one follower said to her in a direct message. "Just donate the money if you f**king have it."

She hit back in a message that read: "This is my f**king job! This is how I pay my rent and feed myself! If I don't have a job, I can't make money!"

"How much are YOU donating?" she questioned, later telling her followers through tears that she just wants to help.

Never miss a thing. Sign up to Yahoo Lifestyle’s daily newsletter.

Or if you have a story idea, email us at lifestyle.tips@yahooinc.com.