Italian fashion house Versace found itself in hot water last night when Chinese netizens brought attention to a particular T-shirt design from the brand that was listed by city and country. While Beijing and Shanghai were both under China, Hong Kong and Macau were under Hong Kong and Macao respectively.
The move outraged the Chinese public as Hong Kong and Macau were both special administrative regions of the People’s Republic of China. The mistake is especially glaring at a time of heightened tensions from the ongoing protests in Hong Kong.
Yang Mi who became the first Chinese brand ambassador for Versace in June has ended her working relationship with the brand. At 2:00am on August 11, Yang Mi Studio released a statement from Jiaxing Xingguang to indicate that the actress and the agency have sent a notification to Versace to terminate their partnership. Yang Mi’s photos which initially appeared on Versace’s Weibo banner have already been replaced.
At 2:12am on August 11, Versace issued a formal apology via Weibo. They admitted that their erroneous design has caused some cities to be listed without the right country. The T-shirt in question has been taken off the shelves since July 24. They acknowledge their mistake and express their deepest apologies. They end with, “Versace would like to reiterate, we love China and strongly respect its sovereignty.”
Around 6pm on August 11, the topic trended again on social media after an official apology written in English and Chinese from Donatella Versace herself was issued not only on Weibo but also on the company’s social media accounts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
She wrote, “I am deeply sorry for the unfortunate recent error that was made by our Company and that is being currently discussed on various social media channels. Never have I wanted to disrespect China’s National Sovereignty and this is why I wanted to personally apologize for such inaccuracy and for any distress that it might have caused.”
The Company apologizes for the design of its product and a recall of the t-shirt has been implemented in July. The brand accepts accountability and is exploring actions to improve how we operate day-to-day to become more conscientious and aware.
For anyone who follow C-news, this is not the first time it’s happened. Last year, Dolce & Gabbana which had Dilraba Dilmurat and Karry Wang as brand ambassadors lost both stars and the respect of the Chinese public due to a string of racist remarks and a series of controversial ads.
Source: 1
Anonymous
Strange T-shirt design anyway. Why have they got random cities? Doubt that was intentional as it’s not the only mistake. London is the capital of England not UK. Back to drawing board with that one.
Usi
Seriously, that shirt wasn't a rip off? They did make so many mistakes even with an also European City like Brussels who they should know how to be written in English. They should be sorry for that for sure and it is weird that no one out of China made a fuss about it before.
Anonymous
This is China being that ex who can't get over on how Hong Kong and Macao wants to be independent. And let's not start with Chinese at the same time being petty and racist towards H.K and Macao citizens.
Anonymous
Yeah. Nobody else think it's offensive except China. To others:
A. Hong Kong and Macao are independent like they want
B. Hong Kong and Macao are both independent or China, depend on how you view it so it can go either way
C. Hong Kong and Macao are China, mistaking them as independent can be understandable and not offensive
Anonymous
Forgot to add, I agree that's one ugly shirt
Anonymous
Anonymous 3 is the biggest ignoramus on earth. Most HK and Macau citizens are of the Chinese race. Therefore, how can you say that the (mainland) Chinese are racist against their OWN race? Look up the word “racist” in the dictionary since you obviously don’t know what it means.
Also, those clamouring for independence in HK make up a minority of the entire population. A minor proportion of the population does not represent all of HK. And unlike what you erroneously think, independence is not the true crux of the issue of the current tensions – there are many other factors at play. And Macau is not part of the current fray so don’t try to drag them in.
Your call for separatism of cities from their nation of sovereignty is ill-intentioned and destructive. It shows what an evil-minded person you are. Do you see China encouraging the Mexicans in Texas to call for independence from the US? Or for Scotland to call for independence from the UK? No? Well, given how there are drones like you around ready to sow discord, I think they should do so – so that ppl the world over like you get a taste of that medicine
You are obviously ruled by irrational and unbridled prejudice, bias and bad motives
Crawl out of your hole, read up and enlighten yourself, get your facts straight, and disinfect the stench from your heart and mind
Usi
I think the discussion is pointless since both are in fact part of China now and anyone who denies that has a problem with themself. It isn't some of the "maybe" areas. Cool down and leave the trolls alone.
Anonymous
I believe a better illustration would be HK is the child who was kidnapped from their biological parents, brought up in a totally different culture/value system, was then reunited with their biological parents and refuses to see their biological parents as their parents. Both the parent and child refuses to give in to the value system of the other and the parents who actually taught the child these values have abandoned them.
Just saying this situation is layered and complex.
sauerkraut
An equally irrational statement, mexicans in texas separating? Huh!? And most actually would have supported scotland had they chose to go independent, who the hell would support uk?