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Dolce & Gabbana have invited many stars to parade on the podium at the Milan Fashion Week parade. (September 24)
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Dolce & Gabbana canceled a planned fashion show in Shanghai on November 21, after an outcry over offensive racist messages on its social media accounts, a setback for the company in the world's largest luxury market.(Photo: NICOLAS ASFOURI, AFP / Getty Images)
Dolce & Gabbana has suddenly canceled a major show scheduled in China after the Italian fashion brand has suffered a violent reaction due to the publication on social media of many people deemed disrespectful of Chinese culture.
The brand has canceled its "Great Show" – presented as a "Tribute to China" – just hours before the outbreak of hostilities, several models and celebrities were committed to boycott the event against calls for racism.
"What happened today was very unfortunate not only for us, but also for all the people who worked day and night to bring this event to life", announced Wednesday in an official report from Dolce & Gabbana tweeted the cancellation of the show. "With all our heart, we would like to express our gratitude to our friends and guests."
The controversy began with a series of promotional videos posted on Instagram by Dolce & Gabbana, illustrating an Asian model eating Italian staples – including pizza, cannoli and spaghetti – with chopsticks.
Social media users claimed that the fashion house made fun of Chinese culture by presenting stereotyped music, sound effects and Chinese lanterns. The fashion house also described the stick sticks as "stick-shaped cutlery", while the narrator misquoted Dolce & Gabbana.
To add insult to injury, a screenshot of private Instagram messages allegedly sent by co-founder Stefano Gabbana has become viral. He has since claimed that his "Instagram account was hacked" and that he had not sent the messages full of disparaging remarks aimed at the ads' critics.
The fashion house immediately faced a backlash.
The model Estelle Chen, who was going to the show, made a long statement to Dolce & Gabbana on Instagram.
"You do not like China, you like money," she wrote. "China is rich yes but China is rich in its values, culture and people and they will not spend a cent for a brand that does not respect that."
@Originalspin called the announcement "PRETTY, PRETTY RACIST."
@Wanger_Gavin said that the videos were "full of disgusting stereotypes and prejudices, there is racial discrimination".
@LumingYin called advertising "one of the most misinformed and disgusting marketing campaigns I've ever seen".
Related: First Fashion 'Crazy Rich Asians': Asian drawings shine on the sewing carpet
Read or share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/style/2018/11/22/dolce-gabbana-cancels-china-show-after-backlash-over-racist-ads/2085852002/
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