On October 22, fashion billionaire Brunello Cucinelli allegedly engaged in inappropriate physical contact with actresses Liu Tao and Chen Duling during a documentary premiere in Shanghai. The incident, captured on video, has sparked intense debate across Chinese social media regarding the boundaries of professional conduct.
The Shanghai premiere's viral footage of Liu Tao and Chen Duling
The controversy in Shanghai erupted after video surfaced from the documentary premiere, depicting the 73-year-old founder making unwanted contact with attendees. according to the report, the footage shows Mr. Cucinelli pressing his hand into the chest area of actress Liu Tao while directing photographers to take pictures . While the 48-year-old actress maintained a professional smile for the cameras, observers noted that her body language and tense expression suggested significant discomfort.
The same event reportedly saw Cucinelli tageting actress Chen Duling with similar behavior. As reported by the source, the billionaire allegedly grabbed her arm and waist, using the pretext of straightening her dress hem to touch her inappropriately. These actions have been characterized by critics as a clear violation of personal space and professional etiquette.
A pattern of boundary violations from Milan to Seoul
This incident is not an isolated event but appears to be part of a recurring pattern of controversial interactions involving Cucinelli. In February, footage from Milan Fashion Week showed him grabbing the hand of Olympic medalist Eileen Gu during a photo session. Furthermore, in September,he faced criticism for placing his arm around the waist of Korean actress and brand ambassador Kim You-jung.
The luxury brand's history of rapid growth stands in stark contrast to these recent reputational challenges. Brunello Cucinelli, often called the "King of Cashmere," built his empire from a $550 loan in 1978, and his garments now retail for as much as £4,600. This massive commercial success has historically shielded the brand, but the current allegations suggest that financial prestige may no longer insulate the founder from scrutiny.
The Paper and Hong Kong 01's rejection of cultural excuses
Chinese media outlets are taking a firm stance against the fashion mogul's conduct. The state-run outlet The Paper has explicitly stated that high social status does not exempt individuals from basic ethical standards, specifically arguing that "cultural differences" should not be used as a shield for harassment. Similarly, the outlet Hong Kong 01 condemned the behavior, asserting that Cucinelli's actions went well beyond the bounds of normal social etiquette.
Will the $3.3 billion fashion tycoon respond to the allegations?
Despite the mounting evidence and public outcry on platforms like Weibo, a formal response from Brunello Cucinelli remains outstanding. it is currently unknown whether the billionaire or his luxury fashion house will issue a public apology or a legal rebuttal to the claims. The industry is also waiting to see if the brand's high-end clientele will react to the scandal, as the situation continues to snowball online.
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