Nadia Bartel speaks out about backlash over her Sydney Henne store and marriage plans with boyfriend Peter Dugmore

Australian fashion designer Nadia Bartel has responded to the backlash surrounding the recent opening of her Sydney Henne store.

The 39-year-old opened a Henne store in Paddington in June, exactly two years after the brand’s first store opened in Melbourne in 2022.

However, the new store received mixed reviews from shoppers, with some taking to social media to express their displeasure at the long wait times at the boutique.

Speaking to Ny Breaking Australia on Derby Day in Melbourne, the fashionista said on Saturday she sympathized with the dissatisfied shoppers.

“It was really hard to see that,” Nadia said.

‘I can imagine how frustrating that would be. That’s not what you want your customers to experience.”

Nadia added that the long wait times were just teething problems that she wanted to resolve as quickly as possible.

“I think we just didn’t expect how busy the store would be,” she said.

“It’s definitely growing pains, so we’re really trying to figure out what we can do to make it better.”

Nadia added that the plan for Henne was to focus on the Australian market for the foreseeable future, admitting that there were many exciting ideas in the pipeline.

“We are focusing on stores across Australia,” she said.

“It’s just been so fun to look at our market here and continue to grow it and also look at different ways to connect with our customers.

“We love what we do, but I feel like we have so many more ideas, so the next two or three years are going to be very exciting for us.”

The 39-year-old opened a Henne store in Paddington in June, exactly two years after the brand’s first store opened in Melbourne in 2022.

Nadia was a vision in white who stepped out for Melbourne for Derby Day in a pencil skirt and white button-up shirt with a striking plunging neckline.

The Henne co-founder wore a more conservative sleeve, with her shoulders completely covered.

She hid her dark locks under a wide-brimmed black hat from milliner Melissa Jackson, which matched her chunky earrings, heels and YSL handbag.

The opening of Nadia’s Sydney Henne store was marred by criticism, with shoppers criticizing the long wait times in stores

Speaking to Ny Breaking Australia on Derby Day in Melbourne on Saturday, she said she sympathized with the unhappy customers

Nadia’s Sydney Henne store got off to a less-than-stellar start when it opened in June.

An angry shopper took to TikTok to give insight into her experience at the boutique, revealing she didn’t even enter the store after being told there was a two-hour wait.

Other shoppers agreed with her dismal review, claiming both boutique locations are often packed with shoppers and accusing staff of being ‘rude’.

Amid the criticism, Nadia and Henne representatives have since issued a statement apologizing for the “disappointment” caused and citing the “rapid” increase in demand at Henne’s physical stores.

Nadia, who split from her ex-husband Jimmy Bartel in 2019, is currently in a relationship with former footballer turned model Peter Dugmore

Nadia, who split from her ex-husband Jimmy Bartel in 2019, is currently in a relationship with former footballer turned model Peter Dugmore.

Speaking to Ny Breaking Australia on Saturday, Nadia revealed that a wedding is not currently on the cards for the couple.

“I don’t think so,” she laughed.

“You know, if you’ve done that, you’re like, I don’t know if I would do that again.”

“But when you meet someone who you feel like you want to marry, it’s a good feeling. We are so happy. He’s a good boy.’

Nadia and Peter became Instagram official in 2022.

The pair confirmed their relationship by getting hot and heavy in a photo shared to Instagram Stories.

Speaking to Ny Breaking Australia on Saturday, Nadia revealed that a wedding is not currently on the cards for the couple