In 2013, Oprah Winfrey was in Zurich, Switzerland for Tina Turner’s wedding. While she was out shopping, she spotted a beautiful Tom Ford bag at the luxury store Hermes. She asked to see the bag, but the saleswoman refused to show it to her.
The saleswoman told Oprah that the bag was “too expensive” for her and that she should look at cheaper bags instead. Oprah, who is one of the richest women in the world, was left feeling humiliated and insulted by this encounter.
This incident sparked a lot of controversy and raised questions about race and class discrimination. Many people wondered why Hermes would refuse to sell a bag to someone as famous and wealthy as Oprah.
There are a few theories about why this happened. Some people believe that the saleswoman may have been racist and assumed that Oprah couldn’t afford the bag because she was black. Others believe that the saleswoman simply didn’t recognize Oprah since she wasn’t wearing any makeup or her usual celebrity attire.
Regardless of the reason, this incident caused a lot of backlash for Hermes. The company issued an apology to Oprah and stated that they do not tolerate any form of discrimination.
This incident also highlights some of the challenges faced by people from marginalized communities when it comes to luxury shopping. Black customers often report feeling discriminated against or ignored when shopping at high-end stores.
While there have been some efforts made by luxury brands to address these issues, there is still a long way to go towards creating an inclusive shopping experience for everyone.
In conclusion, while we may never know exactly why Hermes refused to sell Oprah a bag, this incident serves as an important reminder of the importance of treating all customers with respect and dignity regardless of their race or social status. Discrimination has no place in our society and it’s up to all of us to work towards creating a more just and equitable world.