Photo illustration: by The Cut; Photo: Sansho Scott/BFA.com/Shutterstock

Matilda Djerf is back online, five days after she was accused of bullying, favoritism and fat-shaming towards her Djerf Avenue co-workers in a bombshell report published in a Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet. The influencer and entrepreneur posted an old-fashioned apology on her Instagram feed via the notes app, seemingly speaking directly to her 3 million fans and followers, after making a public statement to news outlets late last week.

“I’ve been quiet on social media in the last few days. My top priority was to meet and talk to the Djerf Avenue team. “I fully understand that my words here do not constitute an answer or solution, but it is important to me to write this directly to you,” the Instagram statement reads. “To everyone I have hurt or let down, I would first like to say that I am truly sorry. When I founded Djerf Avenue, I never expected that the company would be what it is today, with so many team members and so much responsibility. I wasn’t ready. I had never led a team before, I had never built a company and never before. Due to a lot of stress, high speed and naivety, I failed to be the leader and colleague I wanted to be along the way. And I’m so, so sorry. I wish my growth was faster. I really want to emphasize that I am very interested in doing everything right and continuing to grow.”

As hundreds of Instagram users pointed out in the comments section, Djerf did not explicitly deny any of the allegations. Most worryingly, Djerf had allegedly reserved a specific restroom for herself and her “favorite” co-workers. When an unauthorized employee used the toilet, she had him scrub it as punishment. The report also alleged that Djerf insulted her employees, made them cry and reacted negatively to campaign photos that featured a plus-size model. An accuser quoted in the Aftonbladet expose even described the work culture as “psychological terror.”

In her Instagram statement, Djerf assured her fans and followers that she and her team are “continually working to improve and develop the internal business, from structures that need to be put in place to new initiatives.”

“This is ongoing work and this year we have made some important changes to improve the work culture at Djerf Avenue. Among other things, we have hired a more experienced management team, we have introduced monthly anonymous surveys to collect feedback and take action, and we have also established an external organizational psychologist who has access to our workplace. We are also in the process of hiring an additional external HR expert to support the organization,” the statement said.

This reflects what Djerf Avenue Chief Operating Officer Pernilla Bonny said in a statement last week. “We recognize that there have been challenges in our work environment, and we have taken responsible and structured steps to address these issues,” she told the Cut, adding that the team is taking a “comprehensive approach to improving the work environment.” Djerf Avenue.

Djerf concluded her Instagram statement by reiterating the fact that she is committed to “becoming the best leader and colleague” she can be.

“I will continue to learn and work to ensure Djerf Avenue is a safe, inclusive place for everyone. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has had honest and transparent conversations with me over the last few days.” Sounds like she is “listening and learning.” Stay tuned.