Barneys, which has been dealing with allegations that it racially profiles customers after two African American shoppers shared their alleged stories of harassment, has cancelled its kick-off launch party for the upcoming “A New York Holiday,” its collaboration with rapper Jay Z.
The party, which Barneys was sponsoring at an off-site location, was scheduled for Wednesday, and was intended to be a fundraiser for Jay’s Shawn Carter Foundation. A spokesperson for Barneys has said the event was cancelled “due to unforeseen circumstances.”
A source with former ties to Roc Nation tells The Gossip Table exclusively that this won’t slow Jay Z down. “I think Jay Z probably really doesn’t feel any kind of way,” over the cancellation, and will continue to move forward with his plans.
The mega star has already said on his website, “I am in a unique position to use my voice to affect change to this disturbing issue. The easy position would have been to walk away and leave policy making to others hoping that someone addresses the problem. I will not leave the outcome to others. I will take this into my own hands with full power to recommend, review and revise policies and guidelines moving forward. I am choosing to take this head on.”