Nicole Farhi claims celebrities are being paid tens of thousands of pounds to appear on the front row at catwalk runway shows.

The designer has called the alleged system "unprofessional" and "stupid" because it results in more interest being paid to the stars attending such events rather than the clothes on display.

She told Stella magazine: "It is so unprofessional. I have never paid a celebrity and I will never do it. It's stupid.

"What do they show you in the papers after a fashion show? Not the clothes, but the celebrities who are being paid to sit at the show."

Following her comments, the 65-year-old French-born designer is expecting to be snubbed by fellow designers, but she doesn't care because she feels so strongly about the issue.

Emma Whitehair, a fashion PR who runs White Smoke Communications, confirmed celebrities do get paid to take up a front row seat at fashion events, but she refused to name any stars.

She told MailOnline: "Absolutely it happens, but it would be professional suicide to mention brands and celebrities involved.

"Unfortunately the public can't identify a designer who has a genuine relationship with a celebrity or has paid someone to be in the front row. But it's fair to say some of the biggest brands will have a 'talent' budget.

"Brands with money need to guarantee coverage and that's the only sure-fire way of getting it."