RantCrush Top 5: December 28, 2016

Versace is the latest high-end clothing store to be accused of racial discrimination…again. The company is being sued by a former employee, who claimed that the store he worked at, located in California, had a “code” to alert the workers to the presence of a black shopper. According to the lawsuit, the employees would say “D410” if a black shopper came into the store. “D410” is the item code for a black shirt at Versace. The plaintiff also claims that he was fired after he told his manager that he was mixed race, although the store told him that his termination was because he hadn’t “lived the luxury life.”

Versace isn’t the first company accused of this kind of overtly racist behavior. Department stores Macy’s and Barneys New York have both settled similar suits over the last few years.

Former employee at #Versace #Livermore outlet store files lawsuit. Claims luxury label has secret code to alert workers of black customers. pic.twitter.com/bWUiJSyhWf

— Heather Holmes (@HeatherKTVU) December 28, 2016

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.