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Bethenny Frankel Responds After Nou Founder Says She Linked Dupe Instead of Crediting Gifted Shoes

The clash spotlights tension over credit for gifted products versus influencer affiliate sales.

Overview

  • Lexi Ioannou, who runs the shoe brand Nou, accused Bethenny Frankel on Instagram of wearing a gifted pair and steering fans to a look‑alike with an affiliate link.
  • Dina Manzo, Ioannou’s mother and a Real Housewives alum, backed the complaint and pointed to Frankel’s Story linking a similar Black Suede Studio heel at Bloomingdale’s for $345.
  • Frankel later answered on TikTok, calling Ioannou a crybaby, saying she owes no tags for gifts, and explaining she linked a similar pair because the Nou shoes were sold out and her audience wants to buy right away.
  • Page Six reports Frankel also posted a follow‑up outfit breakdown that named Nou, a detail that differs from earlier coverage that said she had not responded.
  • After the attention, Nou listed the black satin mules for a limited pre‑order at $375, showing how a public dispute can quickly turn into a sales moment for a small brand.