They said/We said: Over 1,000 swarm Dolce & Gabbana’s Hong Kong store in protest

It may have looked like Wal-Mart on Black Friday, but over a thousand people outside of a Hong Kong Dolce & Gabbana store yesterday were there to protest rather than to shop. The angry mob took to the brand’s Tsim Sha Tsui location—they were demanding an apology for the ban on taking pictures of the storefront display.

The brand prompted the ban of photo ops outside the store after a distinguished shopper and apparent government official complained about shutters going off outside the store, for fear of appearing in the shots after being scrutinized for owning a luxury watch.

The plot thickened, though, with the rumoured comment made by a security guard at the Tsim Sha Tsui location, that only mainland Chinese tourists were allowed to take photos outside the store, adding fuel to ongoing racial clashes between Hong Kong natives and the mainland Chinese.

In a statement released earlier today, the brand said: “It is regrettable that Dolce & Gabbana has been brought into this matter, but we wish to underline that our company has not taken part in any action aiming at offending the Hong Kong public.”

THEY SAID…

The Wall Street Journal: “While some have called the incident an overreaction, academics say that the large turnout on Sunday underscores the continuing struggle among Hong Kongers to protect against infringements to freedoms and rights they are afforded as a special administrative region of China.” [The Wall Street Journal]

The Standard: “Tourism sector lawmaker Paul Tse Wai-chun said D&G should apologize for discriminating against locals and he will raise the issue in the Legislative Council.” [The Standard]

WE SAID…

Caitlin Agnew, assistant editor/research: “I see no reason why Dolce & Gabbana should be able to ban anyone from taking photos of their stores, in Hong Kong, Milan, or elsewhere. Hopefully the attention that this situation has garnered will help in improving relations in Hong Kong.”

The post They said/We said: Over 1,000 swarm Dolce & Gabbana’s Hong Kong store in protest appeared first on FASHION Magazine.