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Just as Jay Z is set to launch a holiday collection with high end retailer Barneys things have hit a snag.
The project dubbed "A New York Holiday" will features shop-in-shops called BNY SCC Gallery (short for Barneys New York and Shawn Corey Carter, respectively).
Jay has worked with Lanvin, Balenciaga, Balmain, Proenza Schouler, Moncler andRick Owens on custom items such as Hoorsenbuhs' 18-karat-gold NYC edition double ring , black leather Balenciaga backpacks, Stutterheim's raincoats with gold snap buttons, Balmain's black square print scarfs, Sagmeister & Walsh's shopping bags, The Elder Statesman's black-and-ivory color-blocked cashmere blanket and more.
The items will be sold at Barneys locations in Manhattan, Beverly Hills, San Francisco, Boston and Chicago.
“With this project, Barneys New York and I were able to take the slickness, energy and innovation of New York City and translate that into quality, timeless pieces,” Carter toldWWD. “Everything that encompasses ‘A New York Holiday’ — the items chosen, the amazing designers that participated, the windows, the design of the BNY SCC Gallery — represents a perfect example of a unique and groundbreaking collaboration that I hope demonstrates how inspiring New York has been to me.”
However, within the last several day two stories of racial profiling have come to light.
Trayvon Christian
19-year old Trayon Christian told the New York Daily News that he is suing the city and two undercover detectives after being detained following his purchase of a$349 Ferragamo belt.
“It was a quick trip. I gave them my debit card, I signed my name,” Christian told the Daily News.
He was then asked for his identification: “I showed my state ID,” he said.
When Christian left the store he didn't get more than a block away before being stopped by two undercover NYPD cops, according to the lawsuit
When Christian left the store he didn't get more than a block away before being stopped by two undercover NYPD cops, according to the lawsuit
“They said my card wasn’t real, it was fake. They said someone at Barneys called to report it,” said Christian.
On Wednesday a similar story hit the press.
On Wednesday a similar story hit the press.
21-year old Kayla Phillips said she bought a $2500 designer bag in February from the store. Like Christian, she only made it a block away from the retailer before being detained. According to Phillips, police demanded to see her ID and hassled her.
Kayla Phillips
Phillips has filed a $5 million notice of claim with the city notifying them of her intention to sue.
The store is now catching heat from multiple directions.
A petition titled "Barney's New Slaves" has been started, calling for Jay Z to cut all ties with the company.
Twitter users and celebrities have also jumped into the fray.
Mayor Bloomberg said anyone that feels discriminated against should file a complaint. Kirsten John Foy, the president of the Brooklyn chapter of Rev. Al Sharpton's National Action Network said the group also plans to picket Barneys if the alleged pattern of racial profiling does not stop
Should Jay Z cut ties with Barneys?
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