Chanel and Brunello Cucinelli Confirm Their Cooperation With Italian Authorities

This is a scandal that has been rocking the “Made in Italy” industry for several years. In a new twist, the Milan Public Prosecutor’s Office suspects eleven luxury brands of using subcontractors that allegedly exploit Chinese workers under conditions that violate labor laws, while forcing them to live in unsanitary housing.

Last Thursday, on the orders of the Milan prosecutor, Italian police raided the offices of Chanel, Brunello Cucinelli, Goyard Italy, Moncler, Stefano Ricci, Bulgari, Etro, Jacob Cohen Company, Owenscorp Italia, F.VL, and Brandart. The Carabinieri’s objective was to collect documents related to governance and supply chain controls, according to Reuters.

The following day, Chanel issued a statement affirming its intention to cooperate fully with the authorities, while noting that it had “taken measures several weeks ago to sever ties with the subcontractor in question” and “apply the highest standards of social and environmental responsibility throughout its supply chain.”

The French luxury brand clarified that “The information reported by the media was already known to Chanel. Following a report received on May 18, the company asked its packaging supplier on May 20, 2024, to terminate its relationship with the subcontractor in question, and the contract termination process was initiated with immediate effect.”

For its part, Brunello Cucinelli also responded, stating that it “learned with surprise and regret that some of the material intended for packaging had been found in an unsuitable workplace,” adding, “Our fashion house has always chosen to carry out its entire production exclusively in Italy, without exception—even for packaging—and has consistently devoted the utmost attention to the quality of workplaces and fair compensation for all our suppliers.”