What Happened to Oprah at Hermes?

On June 14, 2005, Oprah Winfrey walked into the Hermes store in Paris, France and had an experience that sparked a lot of controversy. The incident quickly made headlines and caused a public uproar. So what happened to Oprah at Hermes?

The Incident

According to Winfrey, she was in Paris to attend singer Tina Turner’s wedding and decided to do some shopping at the famous luxury store on Rue Faubourg Saint-Honore. When she arrived at the store, she was told that it was closed for a private event. However, Winfrey claims that she saw people inside the store and asked if she could come in as well.

The sales assistant allegedly told her that they were having a private event and could not let her in. Winfrey then asked to see a specific handbag, but the sales assistant refused to show it to her. She claims that the assistant told her that it was “too expensive” for her.

Winfrey left the store feeling humiliated and angry about what had just happened. She later spoke about the incident on her talk show, saying that she had never experienced racism like this before.

The Aftermath

After Winfrey’s comments on her show, Hermes issued an apology for any offense caused by the incident. They also stated that they did not tolerate discrimination of any kind.

However, some people were not satisfied with Hermes’ response. Many accused the company of being racist and claimed that they only apologized because Winfrey was a celebrity who could bring negative publicity.

The incident sparked a wider conversation about racism in high-end retail stores and how people of color are often treated differently than white customers.

Conclusion

The incident between Oprah Winfrey and Hermes may have been just one isolated event, but it highlighted a larger issue of discrimination against people of color in luxury stores. It also showed how even someone as famous and successful as Oprah Winfrey can still face racism in their everyday lives.

It’s important for companies to address these issues and work towards creating a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all customers. And as consumers, we can also do our part by speaking out against discrimination and supporting businesses that prioritize diversity and inclusion.

  • Key Takeaways:
    • Oprah Winfrey was denied access to the Hermes store in Paris during a private event.
    • The sales assistant allegedly refused to show her a specific handbag because it was “too expensive” for her.
    • Hermes issued an apology, but many accused the company of being racist.
    • The incident sparked a conversation about discrimination against people of color in luxury stores.

Additional Resources: