Dolce & Gabbana controversy again - YouLookFab Forum

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Dolce & Gabbana controversy again

Echo

Veteran

Dolce and Gabbana is once again in the news for bigoted remarks and attitudes. They aired an ad that featured a Chinese woman struggling to eat Italian foods with chopsticks, and then Gabbana (as he has been previously known to do) took to social media with horrible, racist remarks.

He later claimed that both his personal and professional sites had been hacked, but given his previous outbursts, no one is buying that excuse. And given that China is responsible for approximately 30% of luxury purchases, this could have devastating effects on the company.

As you may recall, Dolce and Gabbana also stirred up controversy in 2015 when they called children conceived by in vitro "synthetic children" and insisted that gay couples should not be allowed to marry or adopt children.

Opinions? Do you find these recent issues offensive? Had you already abandoned the brand after the controversy regarding gay couples and families? Do you think the brand will be able to weather this storm, or will this be the final nail in the coffin for the brand?

Dressing

18 replies

Latest reply was from Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

It certainly looks like it might finish them in China, which would have a huge impact on their bottom line...

rachylou

Veteran

Well, I gotta be honest. Wait til China owns the world upfront. Then you will see imperialism at its finest. It’s a clash of imperialists. And not to mention, China is another one of those countries that doesn’t have gay people. *Ahem.*

Bijou

Veteran

This raises a number of interesting questions and is something that I thought about when John Galliano had his racist rant, that he then retracted... Do we accept the apology or not? Do we expect people who are good designers to also be good people? Do we want to buy products from companies that are ethical in their dealings with their workers, the supply chain and treatment of animals?

For me the answer to those questions is I would rather pay my money to the good guys. I want to support local manufacturing and jobs and people who are inclusive and kind to others. But taking that view means that it costs me more than if I chase a bargain.

As far as D&G go, I admire their design skills, but I am unlikely to be even in the market to buy their products. I do buy sunglasses, perfume, scarves etc, so even for the smaller sales, this may hurt them.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

D and G are my favourite designers, but I use them for inspiration only. I have been aware of 2 previous controversies, the first that they did not pay enough tax, and the second one about the "synthetic children". Elton John said then he would boycott them for the rest of his life, as he and his husband have 2 children they have needed women to help conceive for them!
Like Bijou, I am not in the market for their clothing. I have some "Dolce floral drops" perfume which I got on some loyalty points ( so free to me) since the first two controversies. I like the perfume a lot. Whether I would have paid actual $$ I am not sure.
I do try to buy ethically Bijou but it is not absolute as we don't know enough often about the beliefs and supply chains. I follow the TEAR Fund NZ ethical fashion guide which is based on the Baptist World Aid Australia one.
I sort of regard it as trying moderately hard but not absolute, since I cannot be perfect!

Bijou

Veteran

@JenniNZ - well said, I do like some D&G fragrances too!

Style Fan

Veteran

I try to buy ethically but as others have stated it is not easy because fashion is not transparent. I read blogs like Style Bee and Season and Salt who discuss these issues but really not everything is out in the open. I am not a fan of D and G's designs and I do not have the $$$ so it is unlikely that my decisions will make an impact on their lives. I do have a very old pair of sunglasses that are scratched that are D and G.

cindysmith

Veteran

I am not really a fan of their stuff. I like their Light Blue perfume, but not THAT much. I've been wearing other scents that I like better.

This latest horse puckey from them will have little impact on my attitude about their stuff. I am interested to see if it has any impact on their bottom line.

Anonymous

I follow these stories with great interest, as the business of fashion is one of my biggest interests. I don't buy at that price level though, and don't go for the D&G look anyways, so it doesn't impact my life at all. That said, I hope consumers at that level put their money where their collective mouths are and cut these two idiots off. The "apology" seemed as sincere as something coming out of you-know-who's mouth.

Carla

Veteran

D&G isn't my aesthetic, nor are they in my price range for goods. That said, if D&G items showed up at Winners I would 'pass'! Boycotts of fashion houses have mixed results, as do the apologies. Some actions have been successful at shuttering a line, but other designers or houses have survived scandal, unorthodox practices, and ensuing public disfavour. It's a mixed bag. I'm remembering Zara, Abercrombie and Fitch, Ivanka, John Galliano, etc.

Helena

Veteran

I'm not very familiar with this brand, but in general, although I think it would be impossible to avoid all regressive or inappropriate attitudes (human imperfection and all), if a brand chooses to publicize certain views, they are flat asking to be judged on them - for better or worse. Seems D&G have made their choice; if I had any interest in their actual products in the first place, I would most certainly be making mine.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

D&G are extremely cruel to animals and I can’t elaborate here because it makes me sick. Over the last 12 years, I have taken great care to never represent them on this site. And will continue to do so. Know though that you are free to do so, and I harbour no negative judgements at all. I love the design sensibilty of D&G, but cannot support them. I hope that does not sound condescending.

Echo, all I can say is that the controversies do not surprise me.

rachylou

Veteran

Ok. Well paint me millennial. I had not heard about their cruelty to animals. That bothers me more.

Style Fan

Veteran

I had not heard about the cruelty to animals but I am not up on business of fashion. That really bothers me.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

They are gross. To put it diplomatically .

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I’ve never been the biggest fan of D&G for a few reasons (not really my aesthetic even if it were a more reasonable price point), and have never owned or been tempted by anything of theirs. The animal cruelty was the nail in the coffin for me, and this stuff only seals it further.

Rachy, an aside — had a very interesting conversation here in South Africa with a new Norwegian friend and my husband about how China (businesses and government) are slowly and methodically spreading their influence and control over a huge part of the globe. Hubs was skeptical that it’s as widespread as our friend and I think it is. Time will tell.

rachylou

Veteran

Oh China absolutely is. China has big plans. They’re building big infrastructure all over the world for this country and that. Roads, bridges, harbors. And lots of state visits between China and the various nations of the world. And they hold a tremendous amount of our US debt. AND Chinese tourism is booming - I mean Chinese tourists are everywhere. They have the money. They come and pay cash for houses here in California - where a shack is a million dollars.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Hi all two more comments. I didn't know about cruelty to animals Angie- will Google it. And yes Rachylou I am about to do more research on China's "belt and road" initiative- not our kind of belt I think! I have seen it advertised in an airport yesterday, said it would connect 63 % of the world's population or something- along the old Silk Road route I think maybe. Air Asia had a fantastic inflight mag called Travel 360 I think it was, great article about Xi'an. They wouldn't let you take the mag from the plane unfortunately as it is a budget carrier.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I’m one-quarter Italian, Calabrese, and that whole sexy Sicilian widows’ weeds Dolce & Gabbana aesthetic has always spoken strongly to me. But they’re definitely not in my price range. I have a few vintage D&G pieces, all bought via eBay or consignment. Mostly purchased prior to 2015. I bought a pair of lace platform pumps from The Real Real in 2016.

These are my thoughts...

I didn’t see the ad, but I lived on Okinawa for six years, and everybody ate soba noodles with chopsticks (including me). So... I can’t judge the offensiveness of the ad itself, until i see it, But the racist rants on social media? That’s unacceptable, to me.

My upbringing was always such, that, if someone expressed that their feelings were hurt, my siblings and I were always encouraged to try and understand why, and to graciously apologize, regardless. Even if we believed we didn’t do anything wrong, It’s about having empathy, and honestly, I think this world would be a better lace if Fred Rogers was required viewing for everybody.

I feel the gay remarks were hideously offensive, as I have wonderful people in my life, whom I love fiercely and who are gay. For that reason, I would abstain from purchasing D&G, even if my budget stretched to it.

A lot of their designs speak strongly to me, as wearable art. Do I expect everyone in the world to be a saint? No. But I dislike the state of affairs in my country specifically, and the world in general, where people cannot acknowledge someone else’s feelings, and graciously apologize. This is why I don’t buy or wear anything new or secondhand by Ivanka T.

I don’t know if D&G can weather this. I am not planning to purchase even secondhand vintage pieces. But I will wear my lace shoes, because they’re not visibly labeled, and they’re beautiful.