Highlights:
An Indian-American celebrity stylist known in Boston's high fashion and high society circles is facing serious criminal charges after authorities accused him of orchestrating an elaborate theft scheme targeting the luxury Saks Fifth Avenue.
Suhail Kwatra, 43, who styled wealthy and prominent clients and built a reputation as a trsuted fashion insider, has been charged with larceny for allegedly stealing $429,400 worth merchandise from the department store. Prosecutors say the theft occurred through a sophisticated returns operation carried out over several months.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Boston Municipal Court and cited by local media, Kwatra was detained following an internal investigation by Saks Fifth Avenue that later involved law enforcement. Authorities allege that between September and November, Kwatra exploited his position at the store to process fraudulent returns for high-end items that were never actually returned.
Prosecutors claim that when affluent clients ordered luxury goods but failed to pick them up, Kwatra allegedly processed those orders as returns and converted them into refunds issued in the form of Saks gift cards. He is accused of then using those gift cards to purchase merchandise for himself, ultimately amassing hundreds of thousands of dollars in goods.
The alleged scheme is said to have netted Kwatra roughly $400,000 worth of merchandise in a short period of time. Court filings also reportedly reference handwritten letters provided during his separation from the company, in which Kwatra allegedly acknowledged mishandling funds and detailed the scope of the losses. Kwatra has disputed those claims, saying any statements were made under stress.
Kwatra, sometimes referred to in fashion circles as the 'Fashion Whisperer,' was a familiar face among Boston's elite and had an influential clientele that reportedly included the former wife of Red Sox legend David Ortiz. His sudden fall from prominence has sent shockwaves through the city's luxury retail and social scenes.
In response to the charges, Kwatra has denied wrongdoing and accused Saks Fifth Avenue of retaliating against him. In a statement to The Daily Beast, he said that after nearly two decades with the company, he was targeted for considering a career move with another global luxury retailer.
“In my professional career over the last twenty years at Saks, I have always strived to adhere to company policies and provide the very best service to my clients,” Kwatra said. “I am confident that when the legal process plays out, it will be shown that Saks retaliated against me.”
Kwatra has since deleted his Instagram account, where he had frequently posted images showcasing high-end fashion, some of which investigators now allege were purchased using fraudulently obtained gift cards.
If convicted of larceny involving a single scheme exceeding the statutory threshold, Kwatra could face up to five years in prison and substantial financial penalties. The case marks a dramatic downfall for a stylist who once stood at the pinnacle of Boston's luxury fashion world.
