According to Women’s Wear Daily, a dispute has erupted in the world of high fashion after the French house Dior claimed compensation from its Italian rival Valentino for reportedly restricting entrance to a Dior boutique during a performance on the Spanish Steps in Rome.
Valentino placed its audience of fashion journalists, photographers, and celebrities, including Naomi Campbell, Kate Hudson, and Anne Hathaway, at the base of the travertine staircase from the 18th century at Piazza di Spagna. The Dior boutique on Via Condotti overlooks the square.
In a letter to Valentino obtained by Women’s Wear Daily, the retail manager of Christian Dior Italia states that clients were “refused access and obstructed at the barricades” when attempting to enter the Dior boutique.
As a result, the store “remained vacant and was unable to operate beginning in the early afternoon on Friday.” Dior asserts that the situation was “amplified” by the fact that the event was scheduled for a Friday, “a day when proceeds are large.”
The French company is reportedly seeking €100,000 (£85,000) in compensation for lost sales. Dior would “take all necessary actions to preserve its rights” if Valentino fails to pay the full amount within 15 days, as stated in the letter.
Dior asserts that Valentino sent a letter to local shops on June 27 promising “consistent foot traffic to the stores is guaranteed.” Dior insists that this was “in no way reflected” on the night in question.
WWD reports that no other local fashion retailers have filed a complaint. On Via Condotti, Dior’s immediate neighbors are Gucci, Prada, and Moncler.
A participant who requested anonymity stated, “It was indeed busy, with many people watching the concert from the streets and obstacles preventing them from entering the area where the guests were seated.
“I do not know why Dior requested this. Each retailer could have something to say about it.”
Dior has not replied to the Guardian’s request for clarification regarding whether the complaint was authorized by the company’s Paris headquarters.
Dr. Kate Strasdin of Falmouth University, a fashion historian, stated, “I do wonder if there is some sort of rivalry history there.” Before becoming creative director of Dior in 2016, Maria Grazia Chiuri was co-artistic director of Valentino alongside Pierpaolo Piccioli.
“After their first separate collections in 2016, there were rumors that their designs had the same visual DNA,” Strain explained. “There is no known history of disagreement between the two companies, so I assume this is a relatively recent development.”
