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One of New Zealand's top fashion designers has spoken of her horror at finding the stepdaughter she "unconditionally loves" is facing drugs charges.
Trelise Cooper said the whole family was "shocked and distressed" over the court appearance of her stepdaughter Nadia, who appeared in court after allegedly dealing the drug P.
"This is very distressing news for any parent to face," Trelise Cooper said in a statement to the Herald yesterday.
"As a family we are deeply saddened by this news."
Nadia Cooper, the daughter of Trelise Cooper's husband Jack Cooper, will next appear in the Auckland District Court in January for a pre-depositions hearing.
The 31-year-old is charged with possessing methamphetamine for supply and possessing or using utensils related to methamphetamine.
Trelise Cooper is the third well-known New Zealander to have a family member appear in court on P charges in recent months, following the high profile cases of broadcaster Paul Holmes' 19-year-old daughter Millie Holmes and Keita Nobilo, 26, of the Nobilo wine family.
Trelise Cooper - who has designed dresses for Hollywood stars including Julia Roberts and Reese Witherspoon - revealed that the relationship with her stepdaughter had been deteriorating.
"Over the past two years our family relationship with Nadia has become estranged," said the 49-year-old fashion designer, whose business was reportedly turning over about $16 million a year ago.
She said the family would accept the court judgment and warned that Nadia would have to as well.
"If she is found to have broken the law she will have to face the consequences of her actions."
But she also said the family would always be there for Nadia.
"Regardless of the current circumstances of Nadia's life, her family will continue to be there for her if she chooses to accept our help.
"We will continue to hope that she can turn her life around, and will support and do whatever we can to help her in any positive endeavours she makes to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
"Nadia is constantly in our thoughts and like any parents we continue to stand by our daughter and offer her our unconditional love and support."
Trelise Cooper's website states that her company employs 75 staff. Her garments are sold in stores in New Zealand and around the world.
Cooper, who supports charities and mentors young designers, attracted media attention last year when she took the smaller and less well known South Island designer Tamsin Cooper, of Arrowtown, to court over a dispute over their names. The pair reached an out of court settlement in June after a 20-month battle.
