See why D&G can't do business on Sunday (Jan-8-2012)

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=118644&...

Get the picture?

Phila Siu and Diana Lee

Monday, January 09, 2012

Long queues massed along the luxury brand mecca of Canton Road yesterday - but the last thing on their mind was shopping.
More than 1,000 people protested outside Dolce & Gabbana's elite Tsim Sha Tsui flagship, demanding an apology for alleged discrimination against locals banned from taking pictures of its storefront display.

The Italian luxury fashion brand shut its doors before 3pm as the crowds gathered, and other shops nearby were also forced to shut. About 20 police stood on guard outside.

The company issued a short, unsigned statement last night - without an apology - saying: "We wish to underline that our company has not taken part in any action aiming at offending the Hong Kong public."

This came after camera-laden protesters descended on the store taking pictures and carrying placards denouncing the store's actions.

Angry protesters chanted "Shame on you, D&G" and "Snapping pictures is our right. Banning is not your right" as passing motorists sounded horns.

"Open the door. I have money and I want to do some shopping," said one protester, holding a fistful of hell banknotes.

The protest was organized on Facebook, with the site drawing more than 15,000 "likes" since Thursday. Fury started to build last week after people, claiming they were told to leave while snapping pictures of the store from the roadside outside Harbour City, went online to vent their wrath.

A security guard reportedly said only mainland tourists were allowed to take photo

s outside the store, and a D&G guard allegedly threatened to break journalists' cameras if they continued to take photos.

A well-known mainlander, possibly a government official, was reportedly shopping in the store last month when he noticed people outside taking photographs. A complaint was made to D&G because the customer feared netizens would link the shopping spree to corruption. Then D&G instigated the ban. D&G's statement strongly denied making any racist or derogatory comments. "Controversial statements reported in the Hong Kong press have not been made by Dolce & Gabbana nor its staff.

"It is regrettable that Dolce & Gabbana has been brought into this matter."

Harbour City apologized on its Facebook page on Friday. D&G's store did not return calls yesterday and no one came forward to meet the protesters.

Chief executive candidate Henry Tang Ying-yen said D&G should see taking photographs outside the store as a compliment. "People take photos because they like the products. The store should welcome this instead of turning people away."

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.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Dolce
• Gabbana
• D&G
• Canton
• Road
• hong
• kong
• Fashion

[Alfred0047]

You stood there for almost three hours holding a camera? Good for you!

[hongkongmap]

@Alfred0047

i brought a tripod with me

[deltaoneduck]

Dog & Garbage

[obamarBLACKorWHITE]

take a look at these vv vv vv link -- you could see British England old school no equipment , lack of funding school is not that cool either -- just crappy education with a fancy UK educated name

please use these URL -- as you might not able to click it --- put it in your address bar (browser) then it will be oke

>>> tiny . cc / uk_u

or >>>>> tiny . cc/UK_U

no space in between because , youtube won't allow hyperlink

[obamarBLACKorWHITE]

D&G, DOG, could have world wide repercussion impact -- I am not about about FOR or AGAINST

I think tourism money is important, local window shopping, browsing got to be part of life

wear or not - is personal preference; but LOOK at BEIJING university prof talk, US welcome china and brazil customer, there could really be repercussion -- just like our legco staff throw fruit while president bush in iraq press conference got the repercussion -- there is a PRICE for that even it is successful

[george289111]

Ducks and Geese, just missing the only poultry-chicken.

[itman163]

Dog shit & Garbage , fuck you out of China and Hong Kong.

[yingkan]

Dung & Guido

[azndnbdub]

Wow, three hours! You are well prepared!