Photo: REX USA/D. DaSilva/Rex.In the world of fashion, the Valentino name is synonymous with class. Which makes it all the more shocking that the fashion house has been accused of pulling a totally tacky move. Their crime? Issuing a press release to extol the virtues of the Valentino handbag Amy Adams was spied carrying — at Philip Seymour Hoffman's funeral. Oof.
Valentino public-relations executive Upasna Khosla reportedly sent out the offensive release, which read, "We are pleased to announce Amy Adams carrying the Valentino Garavani Rockstud Double bag from the Spring/Summer 2014 collection on Feb. 6 in New York." Two photos of a mourning Adams were attached.
Needless to say, the Oscar nominee — who starred in three films with the late actor and teared up when talking about him during her recent appearance on Inside The Actors Studio — was quick to express her disgust at the PR move. "Amy Adams is not a paid spokesperson for Valentino, and the suggestion she would use this moment to participate in a promotion is truly appalling,” the actress' spokeswoman, Megan Moss Pachon, said in a statement. This prompted an apology from the label, stating, "We were not aware the photograph was taken while she was attending the wake of Philip Seymour Hoffman. It was an innocent mistake, and we apologize to Ms. Adams who was not aware, or a part of, our PR efforts.”
The lesson: Do your research, guys. There's a time and a place for everything. (Page Six)