The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has caused many industries to take sides, among them is the fashion industry. As the war unfolded last March, many fashion brands like Louis Vuitton, Versace, Isabel Marant, as well as major luxury goods conglomerates have shown their solidarity with Ukraine. Apart from donating to humanitarian organizations, some have also banned their products from being sold in Russia, one of which is Chanel. In response, Russian women are destroying products from the French fashion house and sharing them on social media.
Russian models, influencers, and socialites used scissors and gardening shears to cut and wreck their Chanel handbags. Through an Instagram post, model Victoria Bonya said, “I have to say Chanel house does not respect its clients. Why do we have to respect Chanel house?”
Joining her in snipping Chanel handbags is TV presenter Marina Ermoshkina, who accused the brand of “Russophobia.”
“Not a single item or brand is worth my love for my Motherland and my self-respect. I am against Russophobia, and I am against Russophobia-supporting brands. If owning Chanel means selling my Motherland, then I don't need Chanel,” Marina said before taking her anger out on the brand’s quilted purse.
While the brand not being available in Russia is not news to anyone, what shocked many Russian Chanel lovers is that they are prohibited from purchasing its luxury goods even when they are overseas. In a report by East2West, interior designer Liza Litvin said that the brand “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.”
This order has been confirmed by the luxury label’s French office saying that “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.’”
“We understand that these measures, aimed at complying with the requirements of the law, may create certain inconveniences for some customers,” it continued. “We are currently working to improve the procedure and apologize for any related misunderstandings and inconveniences.”
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