The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Hong Kong singer and actress Karen Mok has apologised in response to backlash over her new music video, in which she wears multiple Dolce & Gabbana pieces, SupChina reports.
In the video for Mok’s song, “Woman for All Seasons,” she wears a D&G robe, swimsuit and accessories; when the video was released, she changed her profile photo on social media platform Weibo to one of her donning the brand’s robe. Commentators quickly criticised her for supporting the brand, with some calling for a boycott. The backlash worsened after journalists pointed out that Mok was the first Chinese artist to sport the brand’s wares in public after its fall from grace several years ago.
During an interview conducted over the weekend, Mok said in Mandarin that though there was no ill will behind the styling choices, she and her team were “definitely in the wrong,” and promised to be more careful in the future. Many netizens have since accepted her apology, but the same can’t be said for the luxury brand, which remains in the doghouse.
In November 2018, the Italian luxury brand’s video campaign featuring a Chinese model attempting to eat pizza with chopsticks angered social media users, who called for a nationwide boycott after designer Stefano Gabbana responded to comments by referring to Chinese as “ignorant dirty smelling mafia.” A major runway show Dolce & Gabbana was planning to hold in Shanghai was swiftly cancelled as a result.
As the country’s economy moves into deflationary territory, manufacturing output declines and a real estate crisis worsens, some consumers are becoming increasingly cautious.
Its flagship brand struggled following the departure of its creative director but better growth was seen at other labels.
After years of outsized growth in prestige cosmetics, consumers have pulled back on the typically recession-proof category.
Last year’s harsh pandemic restrictions and recent raids on foreign firms have made it harder for Western fashion companies to persuade top international talent to move to the country.