Louis Vuitton is being sued after a contract worker claims his manager at the London flagship store made racist remarks. While working at the store, the contract worker Oliver Koffi claims his manager made many racist remarks and once stated ” Black people are slaves that eat dirt off the floor.”
“His comments were offensive and degrading.” says Koffi “I confronted him about his statement that ‘black people are slaves and eat dirt off the floor’.”
Koffi claimed the manager also made derogatory towards President Obama, calling him a muppet and criticized the French fashion house’s choice to produce it’s products in China.
“He went on a rant about black people and other races and religions.” stated Koffi “He jumped from subject to subject, making comments about other races and religions. All of his comments were derogatory and a clear illustration of his prejudices towards other races and religions.”
The manager also constantly referred to customers by their skin color and would often question Koffi, who is of African descent, about his nationality. Koffi recorded many of his comments and has sued the French fashion house for racial discrimination and harassment.
Louis Vuitton admits the comments were made but claims the company took reasonable steps to prevent racist comments, stating ” Louis Vuitton has a zero-tolerance policy to harassment of any kind” The manager left his position before the allegations were made, due to a disciplinary incident.