Today, however, the luxury retailer has cancelled the kickoff party that was scheduled for this Wednesday, November 20, at its Madison Avenue flagship store in New York City.
Barneys issued the following statement to announce the termination of the soiree, according to Women’s Wear Daily: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, the event has been cancelled.”
The upscale store did not disclose the reason behind the cancellation — some speculate it was due to the embarrassing racial discrimination lawsuits — nor did Barneys vice president of public relations & special events return phone calls seeking clarification.
A multicultural sea of consumers are still outraged about the partnership between the rap mogul and high-end department store. And with so much negativity surrounding the venture, pundits believe that celebrating pricey clothes and accessories seems unsavory and dirty.
“Any African-American, male or female, with any consciousness of what has happened would not go into Barneys right now. Nor Macy’s,” said Andre Leon Talley, a former editor-at-large at Vogue magazine told the New York Times.
Jay Z did say he would address the situation of deliberate racial profiling despite the continued partnership with Barneys. “I am in a unique position to use my voice to affect change to this disturbing issue,” Hov read in a statement.
That won’t stop the launch, however. The train is still schedule to leave the station on the project. There just won’t be a party to accompany it. Jay’s “A New York Holiday” will launch on Wednesday.
Time will tell at how well the line will do.
