MMU lecturer comments on “synthetic babies” row

A LECTURER from MMU has warned that derogatory comments by the Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana about IVF children could damage the fashion giant’s reputation. 

A row broke out after the designers referred to IVF children as “synthetic babies”, and celebrities including Sir Elton John and David Furnish have said they will boycott the D&G brand.

Caroline Herz, principal lecturer in fashion at MMU’s Hollings faculty, told the Mail Online that she believes the comments could have an effect on the Dolce & Gabbana brand.

She said: “I think it is extremely damaging. I do think that it will, in the immediate, affect the brand but I’m not sure it will affect the brand in the long-term.”

“Think before they buy”

She continued: “I think it will make people think before they buy. The exposure that has previously come from high-profile celebrities, I think, will cut-out because they will stop wearing their merchandise.

“I don’t think they [celebrities] will be seen to support their brand at catwalk shows because they are highly controversial comments.

“I think social media will damage them highly but at what cost I don’t know, it remains to be seen.”

Read the full story online here.