New York luxury brand worn by celebrities is accused of running a sweatshop and stealing over $50,000 in wages from its workers

Salon 1884, a luxury clothing brand based in New York City, describes itself on its website as “responsibly made with environmentally conscious materials.” But the Manhattan district attorney’s office is now accusing the label’s owner of running a sweatshop and mistreating the people who worked for her, according to the DA’s office. 

The brand’s owner, Andrea Marshall, allegedly ran a sweatshop in the Garment District, exploited her employees, and stole more than $50,000 in wages over the last three years. Marshall reportedly pleaded not guilty to charges of grand larceny, scheming to defraud, failing to secure compensation, and failing to pay wages in line with labor laws. Prosecutors are pursuing the same charges against her company, the office said.

According to Gothamist, Marshall took advantage of at least nine workers who were vulnerable and “in desperate need of the dollars” for housing and other living costs, but who did not have the resources to seek legal help, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg said at a press conference on Wednesday. “If you take advantage of workers, we will seek accountability,” he said. “Hardworking New Yorkers should be paid, not exploited.”

The charges Marshall faces and how the brand built its reputation

Along with “grueling hours,” workers reportedly experienced “a culture marked by volatility, fear and manipulation,” Bragg said, adding that Marshall would “berate workers and scream at them.” He said the investigation is ongoing and encouraged victims to reach out to his office. Marshall could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charge, according to Bragg.

Marshall’s attorney, Corey Briskin, reportedly said in a text message that he is “confident that the truth will prevail and that my client will be vindicated” after a thorough investigation.

Marshall launched Salon 1884 in 2021 to combine her fine art and fashion design skills, according to the brand’s website, which also says the label’s name is meant as an homage to a Parisian art exhibition. The website states that “with a focus on exceptional craftsmanship and sustainable practices, each collection is designed for the modern woman and her unique approach to style,” and describes the brand as “bold yet subtle, strong yet sensual, contemporary yet timeless.”

Gothamist points out that celebrities, including Cynthia Erivo, Katie Holmes, and Julia Roberts have worn the luxury label, which sells leggings for $490 and a lambskin long jacket for $4,990. An outfit described as a “Valtese Geometric Chantilly Lace Dress” retailed for $6,490, according to the DA’s office. 

The brand, based on West 39th Street in the Garment District, reportedly sells its clothing through high-end retailers including Neiman Marcus, Moda Operandi, and Net-A-Porter. Other recent fraud cases have also drawn attention, including one where a Home Depot manager defrauded the company out of millions of dollars.

Prosecutors allegedly accused Marshall of forcing employees to work excessive hours and overnight shifts. Seamstresses sometimes worked for 12 to 17 hours straight, and in at least two cases, an employee worked more than 100 hours in a single week, according to the DA’s office. Marshall reportedly set the workers’ schedules and required them to clock in and out. 

The DA’s office said Marshall delayed payments or offered substitutes like partial payments and clothing instead of wages. Some workers reportedly brought their complaints to small claims court and received judgments, but Marshall still failed to pay them back, according to prosecutors.

In their announcement of the indictment, prosecutors cited text messages employees sent to Marshall seeking payment for their work. One reportedly asked for just half of her wages, saying she needed to send money to her children in Ecuador. “I really need it, miss, please help,” the woman said in her message, according to the DA’s office.

Prosecutors said Marshall allegedly used similar tactics with independent contractors. She reportedly told modeling agencies, a pattern maker, and a hair stylist that she would pay them, then failed to provide the money after multiple requests and legal demands. The DA’s office also accused Marshall of not carrying workers’ compensation insurance, which she was legally required to have to protect her employees in case they were hurt on the job.

According to Bragg, she also did not register the business with the Department of Labor. Other unusual fraud claims have surfaced in the news as well, such as a woman who claimed to be an aircraft heir before drawing the attention of federal investigators.