Jay Z Meets With Barneys To Create New Guidelines

Luxury retailer Barneys is still dealing with the negative press and public upheaval caused by the racial profiling allegations. The retailer, along with rapper Jay Z– who was caught in the mix due to his holiday collection collaboration with the store– have since tried to appease the public in their own way.

 

 

Reports Style Blazer:

 

Staying true to his word, WWD reported, the rapper and the retailer sat down together during which he gave his input on an internal advisory council that will be formed around the issue of racial profiling. A source told WWD, “there’s cooperation there. The council is a work in progress. It’s an internal advisory council that Jay Z is going to be a part of.”

The rapper turn business man is also said to be involved in “creating new guidelines for the way the retailer interacts with the New York Police Department.” According to an internal memo obtained by WWD, Barneys will now employ the use of audio and video surveillance to monitor its security room as well as keep a record log of officers who use the closed-circuit TVs in its security room.

As for their continued work with the NYPD, they stated, “we recognize the need to cooperate with the NYPD as they address criminal activity in our city and within our locations. However, those needs must be balanced with ensuring that the rights of individuals are respected at all times.” The department store will now require officers to provide reason and description of individuals they wish to place under surveillance.

 



Jay Z’s Holiday Collection Drops At Barneys, Fans React (Tweets)

Despite pressure from the community to end his partnership with Barneys over allegations of racial profiling, Jay Z’s holiday collection at Barneys dropped yesterday featuring $900 baseball caps and $2,600 leather boxing shorts.

 

 

Reports Rhymes With Snitch via NY Post:

 

 

Jay Z’s controversial collection for Barneys was unveiled Wednesday, and it’s chock-full of gifts for that overspending, ostentatious rap mogul in the family.

The $1,000 cedar-lined humidor, $2,590 leather boxing shorts and $875 python-brimmed Brooklyn caps are for sale in a separate back room of the Madison Avenue department store that is guarded by a bouncer and has more employees than shoppers.

The store can use the extra eyes. The cheapest item in the 30-piece collection is a $70 T-shirt. At the high end — a $33,900 gold Hublot watch.

Other items from the collection include a $4,500 cashmere throw, a $12,500 knuckle ring and a $58,000 Rick Owens crocodile jacket.

 

 






And now...the tweets











 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


Here's how folks reacted to Jay Z's over-priced clothes

 



Barneys Cancels Launch Party For Jay Z’s Holiday Collection

Although it was announced on Friday that plans for Jay Z would be moving forward with his planned holiday collection at Barneys New York amidst calls for the rapper to drop his affiliation with the store, it seems as if the scheduled launch party for the collaboration has been cancelled.

 

 

According to XXL:

 

Women’s Wear Daily is reporting that a fundraiser for The Shawn Carter Foundation scheduled for Wednesday night night, was cancelled this afternoon. An official public statement by Barneys New York has not been issued but WWD reports that there could be a statement released sometime this afternoon.

The party’s cancellation comes after a wave of public backlash regarding two separate incidents of alleged racial profiling occurred at the company’s flagship store in New York. Jay Z—who has been preparing to release his BNY SCC Gallery and Collection with Barneys—has come under fire recently for his continued association with the company. On Friday, a press statement released on his Life + Times blog announced that the collection is going forward but now with 100% of the proceeds from retail going to The Shawn Carter Foundation. The press release also announced that the Brooklyn rapper will be undertaking a “leadership role” on a specially convened council formed to address racial profiling with the company.
 

Grand opening...grand closing!



Barneys CEO Issues Apology For Racial Profiling Incidents; Petition Urges Jay Z To Drop Partnership

Barneys New York CEO Mark Lee has issued a public apology concerning two highly publicized racial profiling incidents that occurred at the company’s flagship store.

 

 

Reports NBC News:

 

“Barneys New York believes that no customer should have the unacceptable experience described in recent media reports, and we offer our sincere regret and deepest apologies,” Lee said in an issued statement.

In addition to the apology, NBC News says that the luxury department store chain plans to hire Michael Yaki, who serves on the U.S. Commission of Civil Rights, to examine company policy for fairness and equality practices. Lee also insists that Barneys has been reaching out to the community to ”begin a dialogue on this important issue.”

It will be pretty interesting to see how the public responds to Lee’s efforts on behalf of Barneys, as petitions against the popular department store chain have already begun. Earlier today we told you that fans are urging hip hop mogul Jay Z to cut all business ties with the American retailer, as he announced that he would be partnering with the company for a limited edition holiday line. 25% of the proceeds will go to the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation. A portion of the petition reads:

“We can no longer tolerate blatant prejudice and discrimination. It is clear that the minority buying power is devalued by some. We must withdraw support to those who will not support us.”

“Jay Z is currently in partnership with Barneys New York for the release of his holiday collection — called “A New York Holiday” (or BNY SCC). Barneys lacks any connection with the black and hip-hop community. And without his vast wealth and brand power, they would see him the same as they see Trayon Christian. Jay Z should be appalled by Barneys actions, and withdraw all support from them. If he does this, he will send a clear message to all corporations that are likeminded, that this behavior cannot be tolerated any longer.”

Jay has yet to publicly respond to the scandal. While Lee’s apology and reexamination of company practices could potentially be a step in the right direction, I’m not sure if it will be enough to calm the masses, since the damage appears to be done.



Jay-Z Launches Collection At Barneys

 

 

 

 

Attention holiday shoppers. Jay-Z has partnered with Barneys for a limited edition line. Featuring collaborations from Lanvin, Balenciaga, Balmain, Proenza Schouler, Rick Owens and Moncler; the collection will be available from November 20th through January 2, 2014. A quarter of the proceeds will benefit the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation. Says Jay:

 



“With this project, Barneys New York and I were able to take the slickness, energy, and innovation of New York City and translate that into quality, timeless pieces. Everything that encompasses ‘A New York Holiday’—the items chosen, the amazing designers that participated, the windows, the design of the BNY SCC Gallery—represents a perfect example of a unique and groundbreaking collaboration that I hope demonstrates how inspiring New York has been to me.”

 

 You already know you're gonna have to get ya chips up but peep a few pieces