By HEATHER BROWNE
COCAINE abuse is rampant in Britain’s modelling industry, a Sun probe can reveal.
Our investigation into drug use at London Fashion Week found the Class-A powder at two out of three shows.
Tests commissioned by The Sun confirmed traces of cocaine in toilets used by top models and designers.
The results come just a week after Kate Moss was exposed as a cocaine user — and explodes the myth that the drug is not widespread in the fashion world.
Moss was dumped from a string of fashion chains after she was pictured taking drugs with boyfriend Pete Doherty.
At Fashion Week, designers and stylists are able to relax backstage in the dressing room area with invited guests before the next show begins.
While our reporter queued, a stream of models and hangers-on popped in and out of the portable loo behind the catwalk tent outside the Natural History Museum in Kensington, West London.
One girl came out sniffing before anxiously wiping her left nostril in the mirror.
Cocaine traces were on toilet lids and wooden cisterns.
Two swabs were taken on Tuesday after a Topshop-sponsored event by new designer Ashish and cult design label Eley Kishimoto.
VIP guests there included ex-All Saints stars Nicole Appleton and Melanie Blatt, and Hugh Grant’s girlfriend Jemima Khan.
M&S boss Stuart Rose was also spotted.
There is no suggestion any of them took the drug.
The swabs were tested positive by labs including Scientifics, who specialise in testing drugs for the police.
Forensic scientist Adam Booker said: “There were definitely traces of cocaine on two of the samples.”
Six out of six samples taken at after-show parties for top designers including Versace and Alexander McQueen also tested positive.
Guests included Mariah Carey, England cricketer Kevin Pietersen, Joan Collins and Bob Geldof. There is no suggestion any of them had used drugs.
London Fashion Week had no comment to make about the traces of cocaine found at their event’s facilities.
A spokesperson for Eley Kishimoto said: “The toilets were communal for every show.”
Philip Stephen, spokesman for Ashish and owner of London boutique Concrete, said: “As far as I’m aware no one used drugs at Ashish’s show.”
He added: “Cocaine is widespread in the fashion industry. Unfortunately there are some models who can’t stay skinny without using drugs.”
