Latest D&G statement calls Shanghai show cancellation 'unfortunate'

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In its latest post on Instagram, Italian luxury fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana says the cancellation of its Shanghai show on Wednesday was very “unfortunate”.

There was notably still no apology for the offence caused by Wednesday's controversy.

Shanghai authorities had called off the brand's fashion show at the last minute due to a racism controversy, sparked by an online D&G advertising campaign that portrayed an Asian woman being taught how to eat Italian food with chopsticks.

A still from D&G's statement. /Photo via Instagram

The three-part video series sparked outrage for the narrator's condescending tone, and blatant mockery of Chinese culture.

To make things worse, the brand's co-founder Stefano Gabbana insulted China in a series of private messages on Instagram.

Gabbana later claimed his account was "hacked", adding that he has nothing but respect for China and its people.

Gabbana's crude terms describing China have been met with an online storm. The hashtag "Boycott Dolce & Gabbana" has received more than 1.6 million clicks on Chinese social media.

Several Chinese celebrities have issued statements terminating their endorsements of the brand, while e-commerce giants like Alibaba and Jingdong are taking down D&G products from their platforms. Chinese people around the world are also protesting in front of D&G shops.

A protest in front of a D&G store in Milan, Italy. /Photo via Twitter

This is not the first time the brand has angered Chinese people. In 2012 it refused to let Chinese tourists take photos in front of a new shop in Hong Kong, but allowed tourists from other countries to do so. Hundreds protested in front of the shop, with police forced to restrain the angry crowd.

Meanwhile in 2017, a controversial photo campaign in Beijing also caused online anger for its portrayal of the Chinese capital.

Despite the controversy, the advertisements at the center of this incident have not been taken down.