Luxury brand Chanel is refusing to sell their items to Russians, even if they are shopping in another nation — unless they sign agreements saying that their purchases will not be used in Russia.
Several Russian influencers are now accusing the fashion powerhouse of returning to their Nazi roots.
Among the many companies boycotting Russia over the invasion of Ukraine is Chanel, who has pulled out of the nation entirely. To get around the sanctions and boycotts, many of Moscow’s wealthiest have been heading to Dubai to shop.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, wealthy Russian socialites and influencers are now being “humiliated” when they go to purchase the luxury goods in other places.
Russian interior designer and influencer Liza Litvin posted on her social media that a Chanel store in Dubai refused to sell her a bag unless she signed the agreement.
“I went to a Chanel boutique in the Mall of the Emirates,” Litvin posted. “They didn’t sell me the bag because (attention!) I am from Russia!!!”
She said that Chanel stores “have a new order that they only sell after I sign a piece of paper saying that I won’t wear this bag in Russia.”
“‘They asked for my ID details and I gave my Russian phone number,” Litvin continued. “Next, the manager said that starting from today they were selling to Russians only if they sign an agreement not to wear their items in Russia.”
Russian television star Anna Kalashnikova, 37, said that she was also blocked from buying earrings and a bag in Dubai — unless she signed the paper agreeing not to use her property in her home nation.
Kalashnikova said that the store associate told her “we know you are a Russian celebrity,” adding “we know you’ll be taking purchases to Russia, so we can’t sell our brand’s items.”
In response, Kalashnikova reminded her followers that Coco Chanel led a double life as a Nazi secret agent.
“I remembered Coco Chanel was not only mistress of a Nazi officer, but an agent of German intelligence,” Kalashnikova wrote. “So, this action of her brand really makes me remember her biography. It’s so low to support fascism and Russophobia.”
Russian music producer and influencer Yana Rudkoskaya, 47, said that she has spent over a million dollars at Chanel over the last two decades and is “humiliated” by what they are doing.
“This is a shock for a woman who’s been buying Chanel and Chanel Haute Couture for more than 20 years, and who sat at its shows in the front row,” Rudkoskaya wrote on social media.
According to the Mail report, others have posted about having the same issue in Paris and Italy.
Chanel has confirmed that they are banning purchases from Russians because of EU and Swiss sanctions.
“We understand that these measures, aimed at complying with the requirements of the law, may create certain inconveniences for some customers,” the luxury designer said in a statement. “We are currently working to improve the procedure and apologise for any related misunderstandings and inconveniences.”
Moscow foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has accused the iconic fashion brand of joining a “Russophobic campaign” to “cancel Russia.”
