Indian American stylist Suhail Kwatra, once a celebrated insider in Boston’s elite fashion and social circles, is now facing larceny charges after allegedly stealing $429,400 from luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue through an elaborate returns scheme.
Indian American Suhail Kwatra was able to reach the gilded world of high fashion in America — not many Indian immigrants can boast of. Based in Boston, 43-year-old Kwatra had built his reputation as the go-to stylist at the luxury store Saks Fifth Avenue — where the rich and famous of America shop. He was well-known in Boston’s fashion circles and even earned himself the moniker of “Fashion Whisperer.” Kwatra had many famous clients including the ex-wife of Red Sox legend David Ortiz.
But his kingdom of high glamor came crashing down when the elite discovered that, Kwatra is now embroiled in larceny charges amounting to $429,400 for allegedly stealing from the luxury store. Kwatra’s modus-operandi ran through an elaborate and clever returns scheme.
In his defense Kwatra has counter-alleged that Saks Fifth Avenue is retaliating against him because he declined a retention bonus with the retail giant and was also considering another lucrative job offer with a global luxury retailer.
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The alleged plot
According to a criminal complaint filed in Boston Municipal Court, Kwatra was detained following an internal investigation. Police were called to the Saks store in Boston’s Prudential Center.
Prosecutors’ allege that when wealthy clients used to order luxury goods but did not pick them up, Kwatra processed the returns anyway and then converted the refunds into Saks gift cards. He used these gift cards to buy items for himself, as per reports in local news outlets Boston Herald and Boston.com. The scheme allegedly netted him over $400,000 worth of merchandise between September and November alone, with fraudulent returns totaling more than $11,000 during that period.
It is also reported that when Kwatra was provided a handwritten letter, during his separation meeting. In the letter he admitted mishandling $429,400, breaking it down into: $375,000 in fraudulent returns, $50,000 in mismanagement of promotional cards, $3,400 in unpaid merchandise given to clients, and $1,000 in corporate card abuse. He also signed a promissory note agreeing to pay the money back.
As per Boston Globe, police were shown photos from Kwatra’s now-deleted Instagram account showing him “wearing some of the articles of clothing that had been fraudulently purchased.”
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Kwatra, grew up in Burlington and Weston and graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in economics, styled high-profile clients.
In defense of his case
Jennifer Furey, serving as Kwatra’s attorney has denied the allegations. She claims that the confession was obtained under duress. As per Boston Globe, the attorney also claims that the promissory note is “unenforceable” because Kwatra signed it under pressure.
The attorney has also alleged that Kwatra’s supervisors “condoned and encouraged” his distribution of gift cards and other perks to clients as standard business development practices. In a statement to The Daily Beast, Kwatra said: “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. I am confident that when the legal process plays out, it will be shown that Saks retaliated against me for considering a global position with another large retailer.”
On top of fashion
With these serious charges, Kwatra is now facing a steep fall from the high podiums of luxury. Boston Magazine in 2015 dubbed him “stylist to Boston’s most fabulous socialites.”
Kwatra is scheduled to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court on Dec. 18. He faces charges of larceny over $1,200 by single scheme, which carries a potential sentence of five years in prison and a $25,000 fine.