S. Samuel
Grammy-winning singer Beyoncé is not going to let a few anti-Barneys protestors stop her from showing love to rap star husband Jay Z's new collection line and is fully riding behind him.
This week, Queen Bey stood by Jigga’s side for his new launch and even co-signed a few signature items.
Jay Z launched his BNY SCC designer collection with Barneys New York on Wednesday. Later in the evening, Beyoncé was by her man’s side at the launch event at the flagship store on Madison Avenue. There was little fanfare as the couple held court with some of the designers. Mrs. Carter also showed support for her man on Instagram, modeling items from the New York-inspired collection including a Moncler puffer varsity jacket ($2,300), python-brimmed leather “Brooklyn” cap ($875), Elder Statesman cashmere ski mask ($700), and gold New York City ring ($12,500). (Rap-Up)
A few days ago, Barneys announced its decision to fall back on a launch party for Hov.
Jay Z isn’t in a party mood. Following allegations that Barneys employees racially profiled black customers, a soirée planned to kick off the rapper’s fashion collaboration with the high-end department store has been canceled. The Barneys-sponsored event, scheduled for Wednesday night, was supposed to raise money for the music mogul’s Shawn Carter Foundation. “Due to unforeseen circumstances, the event has been canceled,” read a statement from Barneys. (New York Daily News)
Various media outlets speculated growing tensions from Jay sticking to Barneys likely contributed to the company’s decision.
Although it’s unclear whether the event was cancelled due to the racial discrimination lawsuits, — a call to Barneys vice president of public relations & special events wasn’t immediately returned — we can’t say we’re surprised. Folks are still fired up about the partnership between the rapper-turned-mogul and high-end department store. And with so much negativity surrounding the venture, we think celebrating pricey clothes and accessories seems a bit silly, and we’re not the only ones who feel that way. “Any African-American, male or female, with any consciousness of what has happened would not go into Barneys right now. Nor Macy’s.” André Leon Talley, the former editor-at-large of Vogue, told The New York Times. (Huffington Post)
Heading into the weekend, Young Hov issued a public statement to the masses regarding his choice to stay with Barneys despite multiple racial profiling accusations.
“In the past several weeks two separate investigations were launched as a result of the wrongful detention of Trayon Christian and Kayla Phillips. My team has been privy to the status of the Barneys third party consultant investigation. In continuing our research, we also contacted the New York State Attorney General’s office for the status of their investigation into both Barneys and Macy’s. Those findings are not yet available. While I await the findings of the Attorney General’s Office, I have agreed to move forward with the launch of BNY SCC collection under the condition that I have a leadership role and seat on a council specifically convened to deal with the issue of racial profiling. I am in a unique position to use my voice to affect change to this disturbing issue. The easy position would have been to walk away and leave policy making to others hoping that someone addresses the problem. I will not leave the outcome to others. I will take this into my own hands with full power to recommend, review and revise policies and guidelines moving forward. I am choosing to take this head on.” (Life & Times)
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