H&M cancels Kate Moss ad campaign

Kate Moss models a Louis Vuitton charm bracelet.

STOCKHOLM - Fashion giant Hennes and Mauritz has canceled an advertising campaign using British supermodel Kate Moss following allegations she took illegal drugs, the Swedish-based company said on Tuesday.

The company had previously said it would still use Moss in the campaign after meeting her to discuss the publication of photos in the Daily Mirror which the British tabloid said showed her snorting cocaine.

Moss has previously denied taking hard drugs. On Tuesday her spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment.

"H&M has decided to cancel the advertising campaign with model Kate Moss. H&M distances itself strongly from drugs and for several years has been actively engaged in drug prevention work with the Mentor Foundation," the company said.

"After examining the situation H&M decided that the campaign with Kate Moss is not compatible with H&M's clear rejection of drugs," the group added.

Moss's waifish good looks have graced the covers of countless magazines. She was discovered by a modeling agency as a 14-year-old schoolgirl and went on to become one of the most famous faces on the catwalk.

H&M spokeswoman Annacarin Bjorne said the change of heart came after the group had considered the matter in more depth.

"We needed the weekend to evaluate the situation and really to make a well-reasoned decision," she said.

"What she told us when we talked to her after this came to our knowledge was just that she was extremely regretful."

She declined to go into further details of the talks with the model.

Moss was signed up by H&M to front its high-profile autumn collection designed by Stella McCartney. She also has contracts with other major fashion and cosmetic houses, which have all refused to comment on the story so far.

British media have reported that Moss earns around 4 million pounds a year through commercial contracts.

- REUTERS