‘I really don’t know anything about it’: Fashion mogul Paul Smith couldn’t explain his company’s continued presence in Russia during the Ukrainian War.
- Paul Smith and lingerie brand Agent Provocateur both open stores in Moscow
- Rolls-Royce also sells new cars in Russia, but they claim they don’t know how
- Lobby group calls for his knighthood to be removed if shop remains
British fashion mogul Paul Smith has been unable to explain why his brand continues to operate in Russia, despite facing fierce backlash from MPs and his customers.
The Daily Mail revealed on Saturday that three British luxury goods companies are still doing business with Russia as the bloody war in Ukraine continues.
Paul Smith and lingerie brand Agent Provocateur still have stores in Moscow, and Rolls-Royce sells new cars in the country, claiming they don’t know how they got there. .
Fashion designer Sir Paul Smith walked into the £7.5million Mews House in London on Saturday and said he “didn’t really know anything about it”.
Paul Smith posed for photos at the £7.5m London pad over the weekend and said he ‘really didn’t know’ about his brand continuing operations in Russia
The 76-year-old was awarded a CBE in 1994, was knighted in 2000, and was appointed a Medal of Honor member in 2020 for his contributions to fashion.
But his company has repeatedly refused to explain its continued presence in Russia.
The Moral Rating Agency, a lobby group that reviews corporate responses to the invasion of Ukraine, said, “Unless Russia strips Paul Smith of his shirt, Paul Smith should be stripped of his knighthood. It’s simple. It’s a moral equation: no honor for dishonor.
Congressman Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Commons Defense Committee, argued that by refusing to withdraw the product, the brand was unable to stand up to Russian aggression.
Paul Smith shop in Moscow, Russia. It was revealed that the agent of the lingerie brand is still opening stores in Moscow, alongside his provocateurs.
“President Putin’s fate will ultimately be decided not by the results on the battlefield, but by the tolerance of the Russian people as they watch their standard of living decline as Russia becomes more and more isolated. This will only work if the West unites.
“Seeing companies (brand names) not participating in the collective effort to stand up to Russian aggression directly impacts Putin’s claim that the West is not involved and that Russia will win. .”
Meanwhile, former culture secretary Sir John Whittingdale said it was a “huge concern” that brands were still doing business with Russia, adding: “Most British companies are skeptical of what Putin is doing. They acted quickly to show that fear and barbarism are unacceptable.Empty shelves send a very powerful message.I am very concerned about this and hope these companies will reconsider. I hope
The company was accused of making “blood money” online as hundreds of people flooded their social media pages with criticism. Beautiful! How many Ukrainian lives do you need?”
Some have claimed to be boycotting the brand, with one user commenting on the coat: Are you going to start printing the Russian flag on your products as well?”
Take a closer look at some of the items you can buy at the Paul Smith Shop in Moscow
Meanwhile, one user accused Agent Provocateur of selling “genocide lingerie,” while another wrote: do the right thing ‘
Under a photo of red underwear, one tweeted, “Is the red dye from Ukrainian blood?”
Rolls-Royce sells five new cars in Moscow, but “all new cars currently sold in Russia will be sold before March 2022, when Rolls-Royce will stop producing cars for the Russian market. Manufactured and delivered or imported into Russia illegally by a third party.
Paul Smith, Rolls-Royce and Agent Provocateur do not directly manage stores in Moscow. Instead, it manufactures inventory that is sold but operated by a franchisee or licensee under terms agreed prior to the invasion of Ukraine. We have reached out to both companies for comment.
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