With stores closed in Russia and brands showing their support for Ukraine in different ways, news related to the measures that many firms are putting into practice continues to jump. The last one has Chanel as the protagonist, although in reality the one who is suffering the most are her bags.
According to the BBCChanel confirmed in a statement that it complies with the ban initiated by Switzerland and the EU in relation to the sale of luxury goods to people who intend to use them in Russia. Russian customers, even if they live abroad, will have to sign a document stating that they will not use it in their native country.
In order to protest against this measure, some russian influencers They have decided to express their rejection of “Russophobia and segregation by nationality” which, according to them, demonstrates the French fashion house.
Various influencers and celebrities such as Russian TV presenters or DJs, they have cut (and almost dismembered in some cases) their brand bags in videos that have already gone viral under hashtags like #returnthemoney, #stophatingrussians or #stoprussophobia.
Victoria Bonya, with 9 million followers on Instagram, is one of the influencers who published a video cutting one of her Chanel bags and then throwing it on the terrace while saying “Bye bye”. She also assures that the Maison’s decision towards its Russian clients is a “manifestation of xenophobia” and that it is “sad to be discriminated against by one of the biggest fashion brands”. She also hopes “that Chanel will apologize to the Russian women who were so discriminated against in its stores.”
Another example is that of the television presenter Marina Ermoshkina, who breaks his 6000 euro Chanel with pruning shears while assuring that “not a single bag, not a single thing is worth my love for my country, nor is it worth my respect for myself.”
On the other side of the scale, comments on Chanel’s publications in which many show support after the measure that the French maison has taken, showing its support for Ukraine and adding this measure to the closure of stores in Russia.
The videos soon became viral (seeing thousands of euro bags being smashed is a performance at the level of Queen Marina Abramovic) and a debate has been generated about whether or not both the gesture and the protest by the influencers are appropriate. Deciding which side you’re on in this is up to you.
Photos | gtres