Pinay teen bashed for calling Charles & Keith 'luxury' meets brand owners
The internet mob may have descended on her for calling Charles & Keith a luxury brand, but now 17-year-old Filipina Zoe Gabriel is emerging triumphant as she met with the Charles & Keith founder and chief executive Keith Wong.
Zoe posted two photos of her and her father on her Instagram account -- one in front of the headquarters of Charles & Keith and another in a vehicle marked with the Charles & Keith logo. In the caption, Zoe shared that the opportunity to visit and learn more about what goes on at the company behind-the-scenes was “amazing” and that everyone they met was “so nice and accommodating.” She also took the opportunity to point out that aside from the Charles & Keith double handle tote bag - P4,799 in local stores - she was attacked for, she was also wearing a Charles & Keith Lucile satin platform sandals, which retail for P3,399 locally.
Zoe caught the attention of Charles & Keith after her January 10 TikTok showing her happiness at getting what she called a “luxury” bag from the Singaporean brand. The bag was gifted to her by her dad, but the comments section instead focused on her labeling the brand as “luxury.”
In now-deleted comments, users wrote, “Who's gonna tell her?” “I guess Uniqlo bag is also a luxury bag” and pointing out that calling Charles & Keith a luxury brand is “just too much.”
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Zoe eventually had to post another TikTok explaining her family's circumstances, saying that she did not come from a place of privilege and that people were only exposing themselves as “ignorant” because of their wealth.
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The Straits Times reports that Zoe was gifted products and vouchers by Charles & Keith, aside from other businesses offering her gifts. Takagi Ramen offered S$80 meal vouchers for her and her family, while Kimistry Hair Boutique gave her a “new look.”
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The Straits Times also shared that Zoe's family moved to Singapore from the Philippines in 2010 and that she is the eldest of four siblings. She is currently home-schooled.
MEANWHILE, CHECK OUT EVERYDAY ITEMS TURNED INTO HIGH-FASHION GOODS IN THE GALLERY BELOW.
