You would think that with the amount of free swag they get given, that even the lowliest of celebrities wouldn't need to shoplift. But once in a while, these flighty stars of showbiz get their grubby paws on something nice and simply forget to pay. Richard Madeley made off with some wine, Bai Ling nabbed some magazines and batteries and now Peaches Geldof has joined the club, with claims that she stole an expensive dress. So what's the story, Peaches?
The Victim fashion boutique, near Carnaby Street, is claiming that the celebrity spawn made off with an expensive cream dress on Thursday. Her management team was called about the incident and the red-faced DJ returned two hours later, passing the whole thing off as a "misunderstanding".
The swanky store's manager, Nazinna Douglas, doesn't quite see it that way though. "She can get everything she wants for free," fumed Douglas. "To her taking a dress means nothing but it's not something we take lightly. This is our livelihood. It's just not fair."
The designer of the pricey dress was similarly unimpressed with Peaches' behaviour. "She said sorry and that it was a misunderstanding, but the dress is ruined," complained designer Mei-hui Liu. "She said the dress had got caught up in her scarf and because it was the same colour she didn't realise she had it in her arms. The agent's assistant arrived on Friday afternoon with the money for the dress. The dress is worth £500 but we charged £250."
Geldof's management has defended the wayward youngster. "The claim is totally incorrect. Peaches has a receipt for the supposed stolen dress. It was an honest mistake at the time and Peaches went back to the store having been told the dress was missing.
"The payment was made [on Friday] because the store's credit card machine was not working [on Thursday]. She most definitely has not been shoplifting and nothing has been reported to the police."
Mmm – what do you think Star Trippers? Another case of celebrity muscle ensuring they get what they want, whether they should or not? Or is the store trying to score some publicity from clientele as tabloid-friendly as the young Miss Geldof? The jury is officially out.
[via Digital Spy]