The member of the idol group ‘ATEEZ’, San (25, real name Choi San), claimed to have experienced racial discrimination at the luxury brand Dolce & Gabbana show in Milan, Italy. San attended Dolce & Gabbana’s women’s couture show Alta Moda on July 2 (local time) in Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, Italy. He wore a chocolate-colored top with baroque motifs, wide flare pants, and patent derby shoes on that day. The next day, on July 3, San was spotted in a white suit at the Alta Sartoria (men’s couture) show. The Alta Moda, corresponding to Dolce & Gabbana couture, started on June 30 and lasted for 5 days, including the opening ceremony, Alta Gioielleria (high jewelry), Alta Moda (women’s couture), Alta Sartoria (men’s couture), and closing ceremony.
An online community shared a photo of San at the fashion show with a title saying ‘ATEEZ San seems to have experienced racial discrimination’. In the photo, San was sitting somewhat uncomfortably between two others as if squeezed in, unlike the other attendees who were sitting comfortably on the cushions.
This suspicion is related to previous controversies where Dolce & Gabbana faced allegations of discrimination against Asians. In 2018, the brand caused an uproar with an advertisement featuring an Asian model magnifying ‘slanted eyes’ tearing apart a pizza with chopsticks in a ridiculing manner. This led to a boycott by Chinese consumers, resulting in the cancellation of a fashion show in Shanghai.
In 2016, a photoshoot featured models of various races eating food, with the only East Asian model depicted eating pasta with hands. Additionally, only the East Asian model was shown with a napkin around the neck, sparking accusations of discrimination.
However, some argue that this recent allegation of racial discrimination is an overblown interpretation due to the special relationship between San and Dolce & Gabbana. San has frequently worn Dolce & Gabbana outfits at various domestic and international events, and the senior designer of Dolce & Gabbana, Domenico Dolce, warmly greeted San at the show on the 3rd by hugging him and showing affection towards him, as well as greeting other attendees.