Nadia Bartel’s Henne store in Sydney is labelled a ‘flop’ by frustrated shoppers while staff are slammed as rude: ‘They think they are Chanel’

Nadia Bartel’s Henne store in Sydney has been branded a ‘flop’ by frustrated shoppers, who criticize staff for being ‘dismissive’.

The Australian fashion designer, 39, 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 has received mixed reviews from shoppers, with one taking to TikTok earlier this week to give insight into her experience at the boutique.

The user, who passes by @claudiaarose15wasn’t very impressed as she revealed she didn’t even make it to the store after being told there would be 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’.

Claudia shared a video of the huge queues outside the two-storey boutique at opening time as patient customers waited for their turn to enter.

“We just waited an hour to get into the Henne boutique – blazing sun, no refreshments, no stools, anything, side note, no problem,” she explained.

“First of all, the store is small, you look through the window and see everything.”

Claudia then claimed they waited an hour before an assistant told them it would take another 60 minutes due to the queues in the changing rooms, which led to her leaving the store.

She shared: ”We’ve been waiting for an hour, we’re second from the front and this woman comes out the damn door, the sales assistant, and says, ‘There’s ten people waiting in the dressing room and will wait an hour before you enter the store’ .

‘We’re going to wait two hours before entering Henne in Sydney, Australia? I’m sorry!” so we jumped ship, we left the ship, I’m not staying there for another hour.

‘We were already there for an hour and then she goes ”another hour”, so that’s my review of the Henne store.

‘I literally stood on their steps in the blazing sun for an hour and left!’

Claudia was furious that she would not return as she branded the store a ‘flop’, while many other users took to the comments to share their similar experiences.

‘I’m sorry, but treating customers like that is not an atmosphere, what a flop. I’m not coming back,” she captioned the video.

Others criticized their shopping experience with Henne, saying it should not have the prestige of a luxury designer boutique.

One wrote: ‘I love Henne but the shopping experience is terrible. The girls working in the store in Melbourne gave off mean girl energy and I felt so uncomfortable. It’s also small and there are only two changing rooms.’

Another angrily said: ‘I love them. But this really isn’t worth it. It’s HENNE bffr,’ while a third claimed: ‘The Henne girls are soooo mean! It’s honestly so off-putting.”

A fourth commented: ‘I went around opening time today and the staff didn’t even answer the door when it was open. The staff were so rude and dismissive.’

And another added: ‘Eeeew they think they’re Chanel lol how sad.’

However, other shoppers were quick to defend the brand as they shared their positive experiences with the ‘nice’ staff at the Sydney and Melbourne stores.

One said: ‘I’m confused, it’s been open in Sydney for a while? Why are there lines lol. When I came to visit, I immediately walked in.’

Another wrote: ‘It’s weird I went into the Melb[ourne] one and they were nice to me,” while a third wrote: “Same! Not overly busy and absolutely lovely service!’

A fourth said: ‘On Friday afternoon you can walk in and out in a few minutes.’

“Surprised by the feedback from the Henne team, they have always been so friendly when I have been away,” said another.

Ny Breaking Australia has contacted Henne and Nadia’s representatives for comment.

Henne has gone from strength to strength since Nadia launched the brand five years ago, together with her sister Michelle Ring and friend Laura Broque, in 2019.

The website lists its values ​​as commitment to women’s voices, circularity, conscious consumption, good working conditions and a positive impact on the environment.

“By ensuring that every garment is designed to last, we reduce our impact on the planet for generations to come,” the report said.

Henne used to be an online-only store but has since established a presence on the high streets of both Sydney and Melbourne.

‘Pinch me! Our first boutique is finally here. It opens this week and really feels like a dream,” Nadia told her followers when she opened her Melbourne store in 2022.

The new Sydney store features dressing rooms and full-length mirrors, as well as a seating area and a blue staircase leading to another level.