Rumors have been flying that model Bella Hadid was dropped by LVMH luxury label Dior in response to her taking part in a pro-Palestine protest in Brooklyn on May 15, 2021. According to activist fashion site Diet Prada, “Multiple sources within LVMH, who requested anonymity, have confirmed that Dior is standing by Hadid, who has been the face of Dior Beauty since May 2016.”
According to one Diet Prada source, LVMH plans to maintain a neutral approach to hot-button issues, but isn’t cancelling Hadid’s contract because of her activism. Noting the power of 2020 Black Lives Matter protest globally, one anonymous source noted, “A lot of people inside the company are supportive of what’s going on because of BLM.” Another source said, “The death of George Floyd has contributed directly to people speaking up for injustices around the world. People have had enough.”
Neither LVMH nor Dior has issued an official statement in response to the swirling rumors. The daughter of Dutch model Yolanda Hadid and Palestinian real-estate developer Mohamed Hadid, the 24-year-old Hadid was featured on Dior’s Instagram feed on March 26, 2021 (above) with a post promoting Dior foundation. The length and terms of her contract have never been made public.
Following the Brooklyn protest, Hadid took to Instagram where she published photos of herself in attendance at the event and wrote in the caption, “The way my heart feels.. To be around this many beautiful, smart, respectful, loving , kind and generous Palestinians all in one place… it feels whole ! We are a rare breed!! It’s free Palestine til Palestine is free!!!”
Hadid was also filmed chanting, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” a statement some have interpreted as a call to eliminate all Jewish people from Israel. In response, the State of Israel’s official Twitter account blasted her attendance at the event with a post reading: “When celebrities like @BellaHadid advocate for throwing Jews into the sea, they are advocating for the elimination of the Jewish State. This shouldn’t be an Israeli-Palestinian issue. This should be a human issue. Shame on you.”
Check out Hadid’s protest post below
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— Wokal Distance (@wokal_distance) May 21, 2021
Bella Hadid chanting "from the river to the sea Palestine will be free"
This is a chant that refers to removing all Israeli's from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, erasing the State of Israel and its people. Hamas uses this slogan to call for Genocide. pic.twitter.com/OFZeyBdQDX
