VIDEO | Boycott of the brand: Enraged rich Russian women cut Chanel handbags
Influential Russian models and influencers have released videos of themselves cutting their expensive Chanel handbags in protest of the brand's sanctions, which say no further purchases can be made.
They accused the company of "Russophobia" after Chanel withdrew from the country
The company also asked Russians on shopping trips abroad to sign promises not to carry or display the brand in Russia.
The host, public relations agent and actress Marina Ermoshkina(28) expressed anger at his 299.999 followers that in foreign Chanel stores Russian women are required to sign a certificate that they will not wear or display the brand in Russia.
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"No item or brand is worth my love of country and my self-esteem," she said, cutting her purse with scissors.
"I am against Russophobia and against brands that support Russophobia. "If owning Chanel means selling my homeland, then I do not need Chanel."
Asking other women to join her, she said: "For us Russians, having Chanel is not important. We were the face of this brand. We have been dreaming of buying this bag since childhood. But no bag, nor anything else, is above my love for the homeland or self-esteem. Chanel is simply an accessory that at some point decided to humiliate my compatriots. And to discriminate by nationality. "I will not tolerate this."
The DJ Katja Guseva(39) with 587.000 followers said: "I say 'no' to Chanel."
"They are forcing me to sign a humiliating document, forcing me to reject my homeland in favor of their brand. I am against Russophobia and against segregation by nationality. To show you that I'm serious, I'll just cut this bag. I do not need more. "Goodbye, Chanel."
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She told her followers: "We Russians are wonderful whether we have Chanel - we know it, Chanel knows it, the whole world knows it."
The model, businesswoman and influencer from Monaco, 42 years old Victoria Bonja, with 9 million followers, said in English:
"I have to say if Chanel House does not respect its customers, [why] should we respect Chanel? Bye Bye".
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She "has never seen a brand treat its customers so disrespectfully."
They were supported by a Russian expatriate and travel blogger with 239.999 followers, Charlie Prokopf, who said:
"I'm Russian, I live in Europe - and I refuse to wear Chanel."
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The #ByeByeChanel movement caused a huge outcry, which was expressed in comments on social networks.
"Why do not they care about the Ukrainian deaths caused by Putin?" And Russian soldiers are sent to slaughter like cannon fodder? "Instead, they do this children's trick with scissors," one wrote.
Another complained: "Why not start a challenge to sell their Chanel fashion accessories for the benefit of children and refugees, or whoever is closest to their heart?"
Additional comment: "Funny. "Sell the bags and split the money, they's worth so much… why this kind of behavior."
The video protest was inspired after earlier this week, Russian women announced a ban on selling their favorite brands in Dubai. They were faced with the new policy of Chanel not to sell fashion accessories that will be worn on the territory of Russia.
