'Childish stunt': Russian women slammed for tearing up Chanel handbags in protest of ban
In protest of being forbidden from making fresh purchases from their favorite brand, Chanel, Russian ladies are filming themselves scissoring their pricey Chanel bags. Accusing the firm of 'Russophobia,' many Russian models and influencers have released rebellious videos of themselves tearing up their Chanel bags. Chanel is one of the many brands that have boycotted sales of products in Russia following the country's war against Ukraine.
Marina Ermoshkina, a 28-year-old TV presenter, PR agent, and actress, chopped her grey Chanel bag with a pair of large garden tools and posted it on her social media. She voiced fury to her 299,999 followers that in overseas Chanel stores, Russian women are required to sign a vow that they will not wear or exhibit the brand in Russia. Ermoshkina said in her article, “Not a single item or brand is worth my love for my motherland and my self-respect,' she said, cutting her accessory bag with industrial scissors. I am against Russophobia, and I am against Russophobia-supporting brands. If owning Chanel means selling my Motherland, then I don't need Chanel.”
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Russian DJ and actress, Katya Guseva, recorded slashing her costly purse as well. She is an important fashion model as well as one of Russia's most well-known DJs. DJ Katya Guseva, who has 587,000 followers on Instagram, said: “I am saying 'No' to Chanel.They are forcing me to sign a humiliating document, forcing me to reject my Motherland in favour of their brand.I am against Russophobia and against segregation by nationality.To show you I am serious, I will simply cut up this bag.I don't need it any more. Bye-bye, Chanel ."She further added, “We Russian women are stunning regardless of having Chanel - we know it, Chanel knows it, the whole world knows it.”Monaco-based influencer Victoria Bonya, 42, told her 9 million followers,“I have to say if Chanel House does not respect its clients, [why] do we have to respect Chanel? Bye bye.”The businesswoman further said, she has “never seen any brand acting so disrespectfully towards their clients.” Another model Victoria Bonya, 42, too joined the bandwagon.
The video protest comes after prominent Russian socialites highlighted the Dubai restriction on selling their favorite brands earlier this week. Liza Litvin, a Russian interior designer, and blogger, detailed how she was turned down for a Chanel bag in a high-end Dubai mall. The blogger posted angrily, “I went to a Chanel boutique in the Mall of the Emirates, They didn't sell me the bag because (attention!) I am from Russia!!!” She further informed that Chanel “has a new order that they only sell after I sign a piece of paper saying that I won't wear this bag in Russia.” To which she reacted “What?!”Litvin was “asked for ID details and her Russian phone number.”
Anna Kalashnikova, 37, who is a fashion show anchor was also barred by the fashion brand from purchasing earrings and a bag in Dubai. The manager was captured saying, “We know you are a Russian celebrity. We know you'll be making purchases in Russia, so we can't sell our brand's items.” To which she replied, “Next I remembered Coco Chanel was not only mistress of a Nazi officer, but an agent of German intelligence. So this action of her brand really makes me remember her biography. It's so low to support fascism and Russophobia.”
Meanwhile, the #ByeByeChanel 'flashmob' sparked outrage on social media. One complained, “Why don't they start a challenge on selling their Chanel accessories in favor of children and refugees, or whichever is closest to their heart?” A user said, “Why don't they worry about the Ukrainian deaths Putin has caused? And the Russian soldiers being sent to their slaughter like cannon fodder? Instead they do this childish stunt with scissors.” Another one added, “If I was in charge of Chanel I would have quietly celebrated such clients leaving.”A user commented “Ridiculous. Sell the bags and share the money, they are worth so much… why hype like this.”
The new policy was verified by Chanel's French headquarters, which stated it was compelled to implement it due to EU and Swiss prohibitions on luxury goods. “The latest sanctions restrictions of the European Union and Switzerland prohibit 'the sale, directly or indirectly, of luxury items to any natural, legal person or entity in the Russian Federation or for use in the Russian Federation',“ said a statement.
Chanel stated this week, "We understand that these measures, aimed at complying with the requirements of the law, may create certain inconveniences for some customers. We are currently working to improve the procedure and apologize for any related misunderstandings and inconveniences.”