Dior retracts compensation claims made to Valentino, sources say

DIOR, ON SECOND THOUGHTS: It appears Dior has changed its mind about its compensation claims following a Valentino haute couture show in Rome on July 8 that allegedly hampered retail.< /p>

According to sources, Dior is asking Valentino to disregard a previous letter demanding financial compensation of 100,000 euros, citing "cordial relations" between the two luxury houses and "mutual respect".< /p>

As reported, Dior claimed that Valentino's couture show in the Spanish Steps and nearby streets disrupted its boutique in the Italian capital.

In a letter sent to Valentino the night of the show by Christian Dior Italia's head of retail and seen by WWD, the French brand asked to be compensated for the store's lost revenue. It is located on the corner of Via Condotti and facing the Spanish Steps, where spectators have gathered to view the exhibition. Dior required payment to be made within 15 days from the date of the letter.

According to Dior, Valentino, who had been asking the police and several authorities for months for permission to hold the event in such a key location in the city, in his own letter sent to retailers on June 27 "guaranteed a steady march of traffic to stores. But Dior said this was “in no way” reflected in the situation on show night, according to its initial letter.

Dior said access to its store was "impeded" and customers were "denied access and blocked at barriers", so the store "stood empty and could not operate from the early hours afternoon,” a fact that Dior claimed was “amplified” by the fact that the event was scheduled for a Friday, “a day when profits are surely [significant].”

In the first letter, Dior warned that if the amount was not paid by Valentino within two weeks, the company would "adopt all necessary measures to protect its rights".

It is unclear what precipitated the backtracking of Dior's demands, which drew sarcastic remarks and mockery on social media, considered by many users to be "mean" also given the size of the brand, which is part of the largest luxury group in the world.