A British influencer locked in a bitter custody battle with her multi-millionaire fashion designer ex has been backed by supporters after tens of thousands of pounds were raised to help fund her legal fight.
An online appeal was launched for Lucia Bartoli, 32, as she battles for greater access to the two children she shares with fashion mogul Philipp Plein.
At the time of writing, the fundraiser had raised £45,481 towards a target of £500,000.
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According to the appeal, the money will help Bartoli restore “meaningful, consistent contact” with her children, ensure decisions affecting them are independently assessed, protect their emotional wellbeing and cover costs linked to international legal proceedings, expert reports, translations and logistical support.
But Plein says he finds the fundraising support “difficult to understand”.
“It is deeply disappointing to see public fundraising efforts being made despite the fact that Lucia Bartoli possesses jewellery valued at nearly €1m, all of which has been fully documented and officially recorded, while Lucia still continues to live rent-free in my penthouse in Lugano, Switzerland,” Plein told Need To Know.
“I have always covered – and will continue to cover – all expenses related to our children, which I gladly do as their father.
“Not Lucia.
“And in addition, I have also paid and still am paying all costs related to the ongoing legal dispute – although initiated by Lucia and not me.
“There has already been a previous GoFundMe campaign that was later taken down, making the current fund me situation even more difficult to understand.
“Nevertheless, I believe in justice, and I trust that laws and due process exist to protect the truth and ensure fairness for everyone involved – no matter what SM might think or bring up.
“I believe transparency and accountability are important in situations like these.
“And I am and I will further deliver all proofs and do what’s necessary to protect my children.”
Plein, whose fortune is estimated to be worth around £700million, is understood to be planning a move to the United States.
Dubbed the “King of Bling”, the designer’s creations have been worn by stars including Lindsay Lohan, Rita Ora and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Bartoli is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with Plein after the designer was granted temporary custody of the children following the couple’s split last year.
She built a large social media following through content focused on meditation and wellness, attracting around 350,000 followers on Instagram.
In recent months, however, much of her online activity has centred on the custody battle.
The fundraiser states: “We need to make sure that this doesn’t happen again to anyone else.
“All funds will be used responsibly and with full accountability.”
Bartoli shared a link to the appeal on social media, writing: “For many months I’ve been praying for justice, but I need more support.
“Your help means everything to me and my children.”
The former couple met in 2019 and later welcomed two children together.
Throughout their relationship they regularly showcased their luxury lifestyle online, sharing photographs from private jets, homes in Switzerland, Los Angeles and the south of France, as well as lavish holidays around the globe.
But the relationship later broke down and the pair separated last year.
In August 2024, Plein launched legal proceedings in Switzerland which temporarily granted him full-time custody of the children.
Bartoli claims she has since been denied access to the older child and is only allowed to see the younger child for two supervised hours each week.
Her legal team has been attempting to stop Plein making the US his primary residence, arguing it would make maintaining contact with the children significantly more difficult due to her comparatively limited financial resources.
Bartoli recently told her Instagram followers: “Everyday I feel as though half of me is literally missing. It’s a pain I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
“I know God has a plan and I trust that in his plan my babies are reunited with me.”
Bartoli has been approached for comment.
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