Fashion: Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office turns the spotlight on a further 11 brands
Request for the delivery of documents for major brands including Brunello Cucinelli, Etro, Chanel and Moncler
The fashion industry is once again under scrutiny by the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office. Members of the Carabinieri’s labour protection unit in Milan visited the offices of eleven major fashion brands – including Chanel, Brunello Cucinelli and Etro – requesting that they hand over documentation relating to supplies and working conditions throughout the supply chain.
Investigators – led by Public Prosecutor Paolo Storari – have shone a spotlight on the methods used to produce coat covers, clutch bags and shopping bags, which form part of the luxury goods supply chain that has, in many cases, already been placed under judicial administration due to illegal labour practices. The most striking cases have been Armani Operations, Valentino Bags, Loro Piana, Manifactures Dior, Alviero Martini, Tod’s (these cases have been resolved or are being resolved by cleaning up the supply chain with the help of a commissioner).
Here too, the accusation is the same: the major brands are alleged to have used ‘front’ companies for their supplies, backed by a good reputation; but these, in turn, are alleged to have contracted out to Chinese factories that fail to meet health and safety standards, where workers’ rights are not guaranteed and wages are said to be well below the standard rate.
Here are the fashion houses that have been ordered to hand over documentation: Owenscorp Italia (based in Turin); Chanel (Milan); Brunello Cucinelli (based in Corciano); Goyard Italia (Milan); Moncler (Milan); Stefano Ricci (Fiesole); Bulgari (Rome); Jacob Cohen Company (Milan); Etro (Milan); F.Vl (Brogliano); Brandart (Milan).
All these companies turned to Moda Fashion Style srl and Isacco Srl, which were raided last May, when items bearing these brands’ logos were found.
