Current:Home > NewsNovaQuant-Bethenny Frankel calls fashion brand ‘elitist’ after being denied entry to Chicago store -BeyondProfit Compass
NovaQuant-Bethenny Frankel calls fashion brand ‘elitist’ after being denied entry to Chicago store
Algosensey Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-10 09:40:44
Bethenny Frankel spent years feuding with her castmates on NovaQuantBravo's "The Real Housewives of New York City," but now she has beef with a luxury fashion brand.
On Instagram, the Skinnygirl founder opened up about being denied entry to Chanel's Chicago store on Wednesday, which she called "elitist" and exclusionary," because she didn't have an appointment.
“I didn’t realize we weren’t allowed to walk into stores anymore,” Frankel, who wore a white T-shirt, joked in the video. “Gotta get a pap smear appointment and all to walk into Chanel. No big deal."
Then, the next day, Frankel returned to the Chanel store in a chic, all-black head-to-toe designer outfit. And this time, she posted a video entering without a problem.
Bethenny Frankel was 'relieved'about 2012 miscarriage amid marriage to Jason Hoppy
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
She captioned the post, showing her walking in the outfit with a designer purse, quipping "it’s important that I mention that the three gentleman outside (not present yesterday) were lovely." After a brief wait, Frankel walked in and then right out of the store, telling the camera "no problem today" donning a beaded headband.
Frankel also posted an Instagram carousel in the all-black set, with the cheeky caption "started from the bottom now we're here...", a playful use of rapper Drake's lyrics from the 2013 song "Started From The Bottom."
USA TODAY has reached out to reps for Frankel and Chanel for comment.
Social media users defend, criticize Bethenny Frankel's Chanel incident
On "Real Housewives," cast members are known for taking sides and the real world is no different — especially on the internet. Users criticized and defended Bethenny's experience on her multiple Instagram posts about the incident.
"So let me understand this: you were treated like everyone else?" one user wrote on Instagram, while others made comments such as, "that’s how people of color feel all the time" and "lol imagine being black sweets, love you tho you’ll be fine."
"Imagine being born brown and experiencing this every day and at every place and in any designer outfit," another said.
But some users took a softer approach to the stylish star's Chanel incident.
Bravo's "Family Karma" star Bali Chainani wrote, "ugh, this makes me sad. Now… imagine this same thing occurring all the time because you’re brown."
"I went into Chanel in New York and the guy was really snotty and said they had very few bags available. I went next door to the Chanel in Saks and the lady helped me buy a bag. I went back over Christmas and gave the lady more business. I guess I didn’t look worth his time🙄" Dana Byron, the mom of NASCAR driver William Byron, commented on Instagram.
'In business, first impressions are lasting': Bethenny Frankel says Chanel event was 'elitist' and 'exclusionary'
In the Instagram caption for the original post on Wednesday, Frankel recounted the incident and expressed her thoughts.
"Crime is at an all time high and security is critical. I could easily call one of my salespeople and get on this list. That’s besides the point. I was straight of a plane in a sweaty tshirt and not dolled up or looking wealthy," she wrote.
Frankel noted that there are several ways to "convey a message," writing that "this way was rudeness and elitist and exclusionary, which is also a crime." The Real Housewife-turned-business heavyweight added that "in business, first impressions are lasting. I would never want anyone to feel lesser than, particularly from a luxury brand making billions off of people buying into the hype. Chanel is a beautiful brand with timeless classic pieces."
"Being kind to customers of all socioeconomic backgrounds is also timeless and classic," Frankel said.
veryGood! (88)
Related
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- California, Battered by Atmospheric Rivers, Faces a Big Melt This Spring
- The Nordstrom Anniversary Sale 2023 is Open to All: Shop the Best Deals on Beauty, Fashion, Home & More
- Climate Change Made the Texas Heat Wave More Intense. Renewables Softened the Blow
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Simu Liu Reveals What Really Makes Barbie Land So Amazing
- Potent Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depleting Chemicals Called CFCs Are Back on the Rise Following an International Ban, a New Study Finds
- Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra's Cutest Family Pics With Daughter Malti
- Could your smelly farts help science?
- A US Non-Profit Aims to Reduce Emissions of a Super Climate Pollutant From Chemical Plants in China
Ranking
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Hobbled by Bureaucracy, a German R&D Program Falls Short of Climate-Friendly Goals
- CBS New York Meteorologist Elise Finch Dead at 51
- Nordstrom Rack's Back-to-School Sale: Shop Deals on College Essentials from Fall Fashion to Dorm Decor
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Regardless of What Mr. Bean Says, EVs Are Much Better for the Environment than Gasoline Vehicles
- As EPA Proposes Tougher Rules on Emissions, Report Names Pennsylvania as One of America’s Top Polluters
- Arizona Announces Phoenix Area Can’t Grow Further on Groundwater
Recommendation
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
In the Florida Panhandle, a Black Community’s Progress Is Threatened by a Proposed Liquified Natural Gas Plant
Awash in Toxic Wastewater From Fracking for Natural Gas, Pennsylvania Faces a Disposal Reckoning
Federal Hydrogen Program Is Cutting Out Local Groups, Threatening Climate Goals, Advocates Say
All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
Carlee Russell's Parents Confirm Police Are Searching for Her Abductor After Her Return Home
Lawsuit Asserting the ‘Rights of Salmon’ Ends in a Settlement That Benefits The Fish
Sofía Vergara and Joe Manganiello Break Up After 7 Years of Marriage