Australian fashion designer Ruby Rose was refused an upgrade to Qantas business class because the airline said her self-designed jeans breached its dress code.

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Rose was wearing clothing from her own Milk and Honey boutique label, including distressed jeans that were deemed inappropriate for business class, when the MTV host asked for an upgrade in Sydney before traveling to Perth, The (Sydney) Daily Telegraph reported Monday.

Witnesses allege Rose, who had just arrived from Los Angeles and was connecting in Sydney for Perth to promote her fashion line, engaged in an "argument" with Qantas staffers, but Rose's agent, Mark Byrne said she was not "throwing a wobbly" (pitching a fit).

After some discussion, Rose, who had applied for the upgrade on the staff benefits of a friend which are bound by a dress code, was finally allowed the upgrade to business class, the Telegraph said.

"You can't be upgraded in ripped denim," Byrne said with a chuckle. "They were her Milk and Honey jeans (but) she ended up flying business. She did not feel she had a big fight with them (Qantas staff)," he said.

Ruby Rose (Langenheim) is the great-granddaughter of Alec Campbell, the last survivor of the Battle of Gallipoli.