Stefano Dolce and Domenico Gabbana (the founders of Dolce and Gabbana, the fashion giant) are in hot water for recent comments about gay people who have children. Dolce and Gabbana are an out gay couple, so their comments had a particular sting for other prominent gay couples.
Here’s what the two said:
Gabbana said, “The family is not a fad. In it there is a supernatural sense of belonging.” Dolce, meanwhile, said, “I call children of chemistry, synthetic children. Uteri [for] rent, semen chosen from a catalog.”
And here was Elton John’s response:
“How dare you refer to my beautiful children as “synthetic”. And shame on you for wagging your judgemental little fingers at IVF – a miracle that has allowed legions of loving people, both straight and gay, to fulfil their dream of having children. Your archaic thinking is out of step with the times, just like your fashions. I shall never wear Dolce and Gabbana ever again. #BoycottDolceGabbana”
In an attempt at damage control, Dolce and Gabbana but out the following statements:
” [Dolce] said: “I was talking about my personal view, without judging other people’s choices and decisions.”
Gabbana said: “We talked about our way of seeing reality, but it was never our intention to judge other people’s choices. We do believe in freedom and love.””
Prediction: This is going to be almost impossible for the Dolce and Gabbana brand to overcome. So much of the fashion world is about good PR, seeming cool, and being well liked by celebrities. Short of Dolce and Gabbana turning the reins of their fashion empire to a younger designer, this quip about “synthetic children” could become the two word sound bite that destroyed an empire.
TJ Walker is President of Media Training Worldwide 212.765.4955