Oprah refused entry at hermes store

[Atelier]

I'm really confused now. Now I'm hearing stories that the store was already closed, set up was going on for something else, and she wanted in. If an ordinary person had wanted in they wouldn't have been let in (I don't get let into stores after they close). I can see how stupid it was that Hermes didn't let OPRAH in, but the original story that she was refused entry because of her race is starting to look a little fishy.

If Oprah is just mad that they didn't give her special treatment because of her celebrity status, but blaming it on racial discrimination, then that's poor taste on her part. Dumb of Hermes, but also a case of "I'm a celebrity, i deserve special treatment, but I better make this an issue about something other than celebrity".

I guess we'll know for sure when we see the surveillance videos that are told to support Hermes story of the event. Very curious though.

Exactly.

 

[meme527]

I just want to wait to hear all the facts.... just offering a different way to look at the situation, and then standing back to see how the cards come out...

no problem with that at all. i think there are always two sides to every story, sometimes more! but you didn't stop with saying - hey, let's look at the evidence and then decide. you said that oprah might be lying in order to turn this into a racial issue - and that's an offensive accusation.

again i ask the question - why on earth would she claim racism if she didn't believe that she had truly been discriminated against?

what could her motivation POSSIBLY be?

People should avoid lynch mob mentalities.

this is laughable. i simply took a piece of your argument apart - sorry if that offended you, but it doesn't make you the victim of a lynch mob. i don't understand the analogy. i fail to see how defending a person's honor equates to chasing after you with big dogs, cutting off your genitalia and stringing you up in a tree? (that's what actually happened to people, by the way, for those who don't know this part of american history)

accusing a basically honest person of lying is a big deal to me. very few people are honest - i hate to see those who have good character (or seem to, so far as i can tell) attacked without cause. oprah's a human being and no doubt has her moments, like anybody. i don't even watch her show; i'm at work when it comes on. but i couldn't resist commenting when you accuse her of doing something horrible.

 

[Assembler]

A lynch mob. a mob that kills a person for some presumed offense without legal authority.

I was not at all referring to the recent trials in the united states, but I appologize considering hte timing was bad. The analogy was not towards myself, but towards this rising to arms against Hermes against an offence that has yet to be proven. It may have been a misunderstanding, and I was trying to caution to be more patient to wait till all the evidence is heard.

I was not referring it to me at all. I'll see if I cna edit that post to remove that phrasing. Considering the timing with the trial in the states, it was poor judgement, but a lynch mob is not as you described it.

I tried to edit it but can't. I was not at all trying to compare this to the american version of the lynch mob, but to the rising to arms of a group before and the presumption that a group or person is guilty, and acting on that presumption before it has been proven. That was the analogy, but I wish I could have used better words, considering the timing.

 

[Assembler]

what could her motivation POSSIBLY be?

There are many possibilities. From simple misunderstanding to embarassment that her celebrity status wasn't recognized (but not being able to complain about that). I am a fan of Oprah's, but I also don't think she's a saint, and is perfectly capable of the diva behaviour apparent in many very nice and wonderful celebrities.

I also didn't say that it WAS what happened. I gave a suggestion for the other side. If no racial remark was made, then these shopworkers are being pulled apart. They should be equally given benefit of the doubt as oprah. I hope that it WAS all a misunderstanding, but there are enough curiosities in the ordeal to merit questioning what really happened.

 

[meme527]

There are many possibilities. From simple misunderstanding to embarassment that her celebrity status wasn't recognized (but not being able to complain about that). I am a fan of Oprah's, but I also don't think she's a saint, and is perfectly capable of the diva behaviour apparent in many very nice and wonderful celebrities.

I also didn't say that it WAS what happened. I gave a suggestion for the other side. If no racial remark was made, then these shopworkers are being pulled apart. They should be equally given benefit of the doubt as oprah. I hope that it WAS all a misunderstanding, but there are enough curiosities in the ordeal to merit questioning what really happened.

"pulling the race card" is way beyond diva behaviour. to accuse someone of it is a very serious accusation. there is no reason to think that oprah would do such a thing. there is no evidence that she ever has done such a thing.

however, do workers at hermes and other high end stores discriminate against people because of their skin color? there is plenty of evidence to suggest that they do. routinely.

so, based on the available "evidence" (hearsay, all of it, we must remember), i think it is logical to believe that oprah was discriminated against, or that she has a good reason to believe that she was discriminated against.

 

[Plastic'sWife]

They make in a year what Oprah makes in 30 minutes. That is why I hate snobby sales people. They are there to SERVE. Not to exclude people.

Most def, I so feel this way!
I will go into a posh store at South Coast (OC) and they will treat me like dirt.. I feel like saying - you *only* work here, now drop the attitude...

 

[Plastic'sWife]

Anyone who wants to bar people out of their boutique should not have a boutique in the first place.
Whats next? Appointments to go shopping..?

actually I think that is what Bijan does on Melrose...

 

[Venusia]

I saw this on thebosh.com

A source says Oprah arrived just after 6:30 p.m., when there were still shoppers inside the store. According to the source, Oprah politely asked one Hermes sales clerk if she could dash in. She knew what she wanted: a specific watch for Tina Turner, her dinner partner that evening. She was rebuffed by the clerk, then by a store manager.

A reader tells thebosh.com that Oprah was in the limo and a representative came to the door and did not identify the client as Oprah, she was never spotted and never mentioned. "The limo driver said an American journalist wanted to come in the store to shop. The store had been closed for 45 minutes and the security policy is no one is to enter the store after hours."

I don't know, to me, the 2nd story is far more likely. Would Oprah really plead with the sales clerk herself or would she send one of her minions to do it for her, especially after closing time, in a country where she's not universally recognized? This whole story is bizarre.

 

[Plastic'sWife]

Who cares if they did or didn't recognize her? it's totally irrelevant. they didn't let her in because she's black.

I agree!
Who cares if she was Beyonce, Oprah or Mrs. Black, its still not cool...

 

[Assembler]

Haha, really I think that stores treat people differently based on the natural temperment of the people who work there rather than the company itself and their targeted customer. When I was around 16 I walked into one of the stores on Bloor street in Toronto, can't remember who it was but they had jeans that sold for over $600, and I recognized the name as some power brand like YSL. I was scared to walk in but curious, and I've never been treated so nicely before in my life. I was so impressed. Walking through Holt Renfrew though sometimes I get followed, but I can sometimes get followed walking through a regular store with items I can actually buy.

So since people seem to have very different experiences in stores like these I don't think it's the stores themselves that causes the poor treatment but just the nature of some people to be mean and others to be nice.

One day I bought a bunch of makeup from a MAC counter in the Bay. The girl was so nice, even though I was pretty unkempt. And even when I decided to buy a few of the products at another MAC store (because they don't sell the eye shadows in pallette format at counters) she was great about it and gave me one of those makeup cards so it would be easy for me to pick them out. Then I go to the Queen street store and they were very short with me. But I've also shopped at Queen street before, and had them be fabulously great. Really it's just a matter of some individuals being crummy and others being not so crummy. Though stores that can afford it should work harder to really search for, not only qualified salespersons, but salespersons who will give only positive impressions on anyone visiting the store, whether prospective big spender, or just browser.

(I think the lady who was short with me at MAC was just having a bad day. It was busy, and I tend to require assistance.)

I think there should be a store policy at some of these places that as a salesperson you are a ... what's the proper word, publice relations person?.... for the company and therefore have to be on the best behaviour. Snotty or negligent attitudes should be criticized sharply. If I want to be neglected, I'll go to a bargain store. I still am really impressed by that first experience in that first shop (what WAS it! If anyone knows the Bloor area, the store that is there NOW is some sort of multi label store, and is just titled with the street number) though perhaps that was a one off.

(on a side note. i stopped by a MAC counter this morning to look at ther long wear lip gloss that I was reading about on their webpage. I put it on my hand, and then when I went to wash it off, the darn thing won't come off! Now i have this smear on my hand, exactly the shape of how I put it on [so no bleeding or spreading of the colour] that won't come off, even hours later. I guess they proved the long lasting bit! Ha ha!)

 

[sec]

If Oprah wants to throw away her Birkins, she should give me a call.

 

[modelmama]

I wonder where/ how this North African comment came about?

 

[Label Basher]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Diorling
On a lighter note...

This gives me an idea for worst experiences at a boutique...

There's already a topic about this ... and a huge discussion on it

Could someone please post the link to this topic. I can't find it . I love reading these kind of stories.

My best experience was in Versace. I had just been to Prada and the chick just stared at us, which was kind of creepy. So we left and the guy in Versace was super nice. He kept bringing me things to go with what I was trying on and calling me madam. I was like "Dude I'm 19 you don't need to call me madam" but he was like "sorry it's policy". He was also nice to my friend by giving him 3 sets of the catalogues for his fashion class.

I can't believe this story is still going on. I love Oprah just as much as the next person but I don't think Hermes will suffer. If it is a race issue then they will get their's. How many Hermes stores are there in Paris? I'm sure if they had of explained to her that there was a staff function then you think that Oprah would have said "Oh ok I'll come back tomorrow". Oprah really values her staff maybe Hermes does too.

I feel like saying - you *only* work here, now drop the attitude...

Do it, there are so many times I have come close to saying something. Just stare back at them with a look like they are the ones that are dirt. They are the ones that miss out on the commission.

 

[modelmama]

I dont think anyone wants them to suffer. If they are in the wrong, they should be penalized. Simple as that.

 

[Luna]

I saw this on thebosh.com


I don't know, to me, the 2nd story is far more likely. Would Oprah really plead with the sales clerk herself or would she send one of her minions to do it for her, especially after closing time, in a country where she's not universally recognized? This whole story is bizarre.

sounds like a cover up.

 

[meme527]

sounds like a cover up.

maybe she's really a gay scientologist looking to marry a billionaire whose already married to angelina jolie's ex-husband!!! which would explain the sudden weight loss and the storming out of theaters with a small dog under her arm.,which would explain the PETA pie-in-the-face protests, and the reason she REALLY wants a birkin nag for free - to conceal the poor tortured animal in, when he is only going to be used to make false eyelashes for afghan rebels who are crotcheting in sweatshops in south africa, which is what she discovered on her recent trip there.

brooke shields was there too by the way, scoring antidepressants for mary-kate (also in the bag, those things are roomy), wno was spotted eating bananas with gwen stefani and jessica simpson - nick lachey was there too, pumping up his keg. could he be in an alcoholic depression because his wife is really a tuna? word to the wise, nick - antidepressants and scientology DON'T mix!!

dang. now i know it all.

 

[Libra Skye18]

The source says Oprah arrived when there were still shoppers inside the store.

Instead, she was rebuffed - first by the clerk, then by a store manager.

Hermès' brusque treatment understandably came as a shock to someone who recently bought a dozen of the store's Birkin bags, which can run $6,500. In fact, Oprah had just ordered another one.

After last weekend, she canceled that order.

We also hear she may share the incident with her 22 million-plus viewers.

"We are calling it Oprah's 'Crash' moment," says the friend, recalling the new movie about race in America.

Basically all of this (see above) was just confirmed by Gayle on ET (aka Entertainment Tonight). Also the article that Tweedy posted about the apology was mentioned & Gayle commented that she had a problem with their quote unquote apology stating that it was made to seem as if they hadn't done anything wrong. (Not exact words however).

 

[Jacque Marcel]

this is not going to look good for hermes...she's going to remind people in september...can't wait

 

[Foxie-Pooh]

Celebrities shouldn't get special treatments, if they are closed then they are CLOSED. It's pointless and arragont to expect someone to open a store or anything for them because they are rich and famous. I'm sure things like this had happened many times. Just because she is Opera doesn't make it ok for them to let her do things they wouldn't normally let other people do. This shouldn't even be as big of a deal as it is

 

[Libra Skye18]

this is not going to look good for hermes...she's going to remind people in september...can't wait

Lol...I concur.