Reminds me of an old PJ O’Rourke story. PJ goes to some swank Long Island cocktail party wearing a blazer and painter’s work pants. Some swell remarks admiringly, “Where did you get those pants?” PJ says, “At Sears.” “Fantaaastic,” the swell replies. “Where is this ‘At Sears’?”
If anyone cares, it’s pronounced AIR-MEZZ, and they also do ties and, um, I forget what else.
Hey genius, not all diamonds are conflict diamonds. Unless you know they Oprah bought them from an area where this is a problem, you are speculating. Nice try.
According to the store’s account of the story. The initial report never mentioned them being closed. Even so, stores regularly open their doors for celebs after hours. Do you really think they would have turned away a celebrity of her stature if they had recognized her?
Ah, we don’t hold with none o’ that high-falutin’ Frog-talk round these parts. I say it’s really “Hermie’s.”
I gotta agree with this. cause Athena’s a Yooper and all. but did Oprah have to pick some of the most depressing books evah for the bored housewife brigade to read?
Sorry for the hijack and I’m sorry black people can’t wear Hermes. Can Asians and Hispanics or is it just one demographic/butt-0-graphic that is being oppressed?
I say we boycott Hermes. I’m willing to boycott anything that reminds me of the low grade I got in Mythology those bastids. I need a cookie.
[Grabs Megaphone]
Hermes Sucks!
[/ends boycot]
That’ll teach 'em.
Cool it, brickbacon. Remember where you are. You have issues with the OP? That’s fine–but you need to moderate your tone in this forum.
Let’s keep it a bit more civil from here on out.
She would have looked pretty darned pretentious, is my guess.
My guess is that Oprah got in an outraged snit when someone dared refuse her request. (I admire her greatly, but c’mon, girlfriend is one of the most self-centered people in showbiz! And that’s saying something.) Once she kvetched to her entourage, they probably whipped up the outrage further by putting the “it’s a race thing!” bug in her ear. Someone on her team then blabs to Page Six, and voila! Scandal ensues. Next thing you know, Spike’ll be throwing garbage cans into Hermes’ windows.
Honestly, this story makes no sense all 'round. Why would anyone think Oprah was North African? The majority of North Africans are Arab/Berber, with skin color that varies but probably averages out to being no darker than, say, Jennifer Lopez with a couple of extra coats of Body Bling.
Oprah and Gayle King have stated that the North African comment never happened. And, as someone mentioned, North African would be referring to Morrocan Muslims.
Hermes is not the kind of store that kow-tows to celebs. Trust me, they don’t NEED to. They were closed, and setting up for someone else, and told Oprah, no, sorry, we’re closed, come back when we’re open. Instead of being gracious, she threw a royal hissyfit, pulled the whole, “Do you even know who I am!” tantrum, and came out looking like a spoiled brat.
“Most humiliating moment of her life?” To Oprah I say, “Bitch, please.” More humiliating than being raped and abused as a child by relatives?
And unless YOU know that they specifically turned her away because they’re racist, YOU are speculating. As Oprah’s little lapdog, Dr. Phil would say, “That dog won’t hunt.”
Oprah jumped the shark about 2 or so years ago. She is retreading shows and they can’t get any fluffier. She is on at work, in the pt’s rooms. She bears court TV and the other nonsense on during the day, but that ain’t sayin’ much.
I used to like Oprah–and I think she has done some good in the world.
But there is a packaging about her, a slickness that turns me off. I want her to go work in a muddy trench somewhere and be hungry or something–I know she came from poverty, but there seems to be such a deigning, a reaching down to the huddled masses attitude that bothers me.
Hermes was a slap in the face and a much needed one–Oprah, yo-you don’t own the world, and not everyone will cowtow to your whims.
Hey, I know we’re not in GD, but can you tell me where you read that she said it never happened? I’m debating this on another board with some other folks, and I’d like to point that out to them.
E.
It was from another board, unfortunately, and someone said it was ET that Gayle King stated that that wasn’t said.
CNN story claims it came from the NY Post’s Page Six, a gossip column.
It’s Oprah claiming that they were being racist for turning her away. Nope, it’s snobbery. Hermes doesn’t stoop down and kiss celebrity ass, that’s all. And it’s unlikely they made that comment, since Oprah is obviously not of North African (Egyptian, Morrocan) ancestry. (I believe she claims she’s a Zulu, even though there aren’t any records of Zulu slaves in the West.).
Yes, she’s going to share this with her audience. Because we all know they are BIG consumers at Hermes.
Oprah, your ego needs a ‘poppin’.
This is wrong on so many counts. First, the article says a friend of Oprah’s, not Oprah or her representatives. In addition, the Post article came out first without any commentary from Oprah or Hermes. Once it had become an “issue”, the Daily News article came out and includes comments from one of Oprah’s friends. The funniest part about your claim is the article you cite specifically states that Oprah has not claimed in was racism. Allow me to
[quote:]
(http://www.nydailynews.com/news/gossip/story/321268p-274724c.html)
Her “friend” supposedly said that to a gossip columnist in a crappy newspaper. I’d also like to mention that article you quote directly contradicts the official story the store released in many ways. That’s why I think the store is lying to save face. Why would Oprah make up a lie about North Africans? It’s such a strange thing to make up, and I can’t see why she would do such a thing.
Also, the Zulu thing was based on a mDNA test she had. You act as though she just decided one day to proclaim her Zulu heritage. There are certainly problems with proclaiming such a thing as an unimpeachable fact, but her claim is based on fairly sound scientific data. It’s fine if you dislike Oprah, but please try to do more diligent research and not make mountains of molehills.
Actually, I’m sure plenty of people in her audience buy Hermes. I think you underestimate the status level of her average viewer. I’m not saying Hermes is gonna go under because of Oprah, but she has proven that she can sway public opinion more than any other celeb. What do you think the beef industry sued her?
If Hermes wasn’t worried about what Oprah had to say, they wouldn’t have apologized, and sent her a bunch of free stuff. It is standard operating procedure for companies like Hermes to cater to celebs, and wealthy people. They do it all the time. I can’t imagine they recognized Oprah and told her to come back the next day. Then, as Oprah left in a huff, she makes up something about North Africans, and calls the NY Post to claim she was discriminated against. Why would any sane person do that? Not to mention, if she is lying, all Hermes would have to do is release the tape, and Oprah would be publicly embarrassed. Why would she risk all that? She has never done anything like that, nor does she strike me as someone who is crazy or stupid enough to think she could get away with a stunt like that.
Heh. Not a chance. I have priced Hermes both in the US and overseas, and my guess is that the majority of Oprah’s audience would drop dead at the price they would have to pay for a keychain or scarf, let alone a handbag or an outfit.
Dream on.
Why are you such an Oprah apologist? And what was the last item you bought at Hermes?
Check out www.hermes.com.
No way in hell Oprah’s target audience is paying $145 for a tie or $320 for a scarf.
Why in the hell we’re arguing about whether or not Oprah’s audience is likely to shop at Hermes is quite beyond me, but…
I saw a clip of Jon Stewart on her show, and the first thing that he remarked on was that she had “the best-dressed audience in television.”
It’s tempting to make presumptions about her audience based on ideas we (probably justifiably) have about daytime TV and the people who watch it – but it’s pretty safe to say that Oprah and Jerry Springer appeal to different demographic groups.
In the last decade in particular, I think her audience is increasingly inclusive of better-educated, more professional, and more affluent people – a lot of whom time-shift the program.
You betcher ass that a significant number of them shop at Hermes.
Sure, I don’t think that her audience members regularly shop there, but I’m sure some do. I know people who have spent more than $145 for a tie. I was discussing this with my brother the other day. He is an investment banker, and many of his bosses’ wives watch Oprah. Many of them also have those handbags. One of my friends mom’s has 4 of those scarves they sell. She tivos Oprah. Many people who shop at places like that are well off, but not fabulously wealthy. They buy a tie or scarf on special occasions and holidays. There are plenty of people like her that occasionally buy high end stuff like Hermes scarves. I’m not saying they would all stop buying from Hermes because Oprah says they should, but to claim that Oprah’s audience (as a whole) can’t afford it is wrong. Besides, if Hermes didn’t think there sales would be hurt by this incident, why apologize for something you didn’t do?
As for why I’m an Oprah apologist, I don’t think I am. I like her, I think her show is entertaining sometimes. I don’t watch it regularly, nor do I read her magazine. I just don’t understand why people are so petty and jealous of celebrities. Especially one who, by all accounts, has done more with her platform than most have, and has donated large amounts of her time and money to various causes. There are only a few people I can think of that are more generous and magnanimous than her (and the few that I can think of still get shit from people for no good reason).
Yes, I can understand the that the need to put yourself on every cover of your own magazine is pretty egotistical, but is that a reason to hate her? It’s really bothersome to me that people feel the need to assume a bunch of highly implausible scenarios, and/or make shit up about her to justify their hatred. It’s just sad to me.
Am I wrong to assume you would rather I not have said anything to rain on the “hate Oprah” parade? If so, it’s odd that a place dedicated to abolishing ignorance would rather have uninformed and inaccurate statements made by others go unchallenged, then have me present a dissenting opinion. I’m sorry if I misinterpreted your objections, but that’s what I’ve gathered from what you guys have said.
Which I can’t understand at all, since her show is fluffy nonsense.
Anyway, carry on…
Yes, but. yes, but.
Why would Hermes say something so inflammatory and destined to get them on the front page or at least in the news in such a bad light? These aren’t yahoos at Walmart; Hermes does up-upscale business, has for decades, if not centuries.
Why does the whole thing smack of urban myth to me? France has a problem with the influx of Muslim, north African immigrants…headscarves are banned at schools etc. Doesn’t this sound like a perfect setup to get a venerated “old school” French firm in hot water? IOW, is Hermes being used by someone who wants to spin this story to stir a pot or two? I am not saying that Oprah is the one doing the stirring…I am saying that perhaps a journalist or two saw a chance to agitate and churn out some “news”.
Hermes deals with Heads of State and celebs every day–I cannot believe that the store clerks are that stupid or ignorant. Why give Oprah all the credit? Let’s give some cred to the workers at Hermes. I bet the story goes like this: Oprah tries to use her status to shop off hours. It doesn’t work. She goes away miffed. And then the pot stirrers start making shit from whole cloth.
It’s my theory, anyway.
This is a good point. Johnny Carson used to love to vacation in France because nobody knew who he was.
Actually, not a company like Hermes. They can get away with being snobs because they’re Hermes. It’s snob city. And we’re talking thousand dollar items here. 146 dollars for a scarf there is cheap, I would think.
Dude, I’m sorry, but I find it hard to believe they were being racist, when they wouldn’t let her in AFTER THE STORE WAS CLOSED. Just because Oprah’s little lapdog Gayle said, “Oh, well if it had been such and such celeb they would have!” doesn’t make it so.
Believe me, Hermes can definitely afford to lose Oprah’s business. Remember, the beef industry LOST.