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Two More Prada Employees Join Rina Bovrisse in Suit Against Prada Japan

by Rebecca Milner (Subscribe to Rebecca Milner's posts)
Posted Apr 19th 2010 at 3:00PM  
4 Comments
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Rina Bovrisse speaks at a Tokyo press conference on Monday, April 19. Photo: Rebecca Milner

An occasionally emotional Rina Bovrisse, along with her lawyers, offered new details of her case against Prada Japan at a press conference in Tokyo on Monday.

The 36-year-old Japanese national, who has worked internationally in the luxury business for over a decade, announced that her lawsuit will be joined by two other "former Prada Japan employees who received the same harassments."

Bovrisse is demanding a public apology from Prada, a new company guideline against harassment in the workplace, and compensation (amount still undisclosed) for psychological trauma and legal fees for all victims.

"I am here to take a stand for Japanese women who have been victims of harassment and discrimination at the workplace," said Bovrisse, whose business card now reads "Fashionista Feminista."

Mrs. Bovrisse has alleged that Prada Japan described a number of female employees as "aged, ugly, fat, bad body shape, bad teeth, disgusting, and not cute," and pressured them to resign. She says the company fired her last month after she complained about the harassment.

The court case, set to begin May 14, follows a three-part labor tribunal that ended in a stalemate last month between both parties -- and not in a dismissal of the allegations as reported by Prada Japan, say her lawyers, Yoshiki Kojima and Takeo Kawamura.

The legal duo was also quick to address any concern that Bovrisse's motivations are purely monetary. Kojima stated that during the labor tribunal discussions, Prada Japan had offered to pay Bovrisse 10 million yen in severance but that his client had been fighting for a reinstatement and a public apology.

Whether Bovrisse will get any of the above remains to be seen. Given that a trial will allow both sides to call witnesses and could last a year, there could be a lot more drama to come.

Meanwhile, read about another recent high-profile lawsuit.
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Filed under: Fashion, News, Designers & Brands
Tags: prada, prada japan, PradaJapan, Rina Bovrisse, RinaBovrisse
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READER COMMENTS

(4)Add A Comment

david, 5-04-2010, 11:48AM

1 star vote downvote upReport
david

my comment is simple. It's Prada, it's Japan. Prada isn't an everyday name in the fashion industry, it's one of the highlights. What happens there is of no consequence to anyone other than the people who work there. Were talking Japan, not the U.S. Their discrimination or harrassment issues aren't mine or of consumers of Prada in the U.S. I would cough up a hairball if I heard any Prada customer in the U.S. side in this with the women filing the lawsuit. Again, a non-issue for the consumer.

Reply »

Marit Londeaux, 5-04-2010, 12:24PM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Marit Londeaux

Just because this lawsuit is taking place in Japan doesn't mean that it's a "non-issue" nor does it mean that women in the U.S. don't sympathize with what those women are going through. The allegation that the people at Prada have called some of their employees "aged, ugly, fat, bad body shape, bad teeth, disgusting, and not cute" and are pressuring them to resign is very disturbing to me. I'm assuming that they started working there when they were young, in shape, and cute otherwise they wouldn't have been hired in the first place. Everyone gets older and most become a little heavier as they age. This is clearly a case of age discrimination and if this were happening in the U.S. she would win her lawsuit in a heartbeat. Ready to cough up that hairball?

»

Jim, 5-05-2010, 12:00AM

3 stars vote downvote upReport
Jim

The job you have would definitely define what your job requirements should be. If you are a MODEL for Prada, then YES, you should be fired for being fat, old, having bad teeth, or any bad physical attributes. If you're an A/P clerk, then the company should be sued until kingdom come for discrimination. Yes, you CAN discriminate against people...that's called "job requirements". Prada should outline the job requirements for each position, and stick to them.

I don't want to see a fat cow dancing ballet (well, maybe I would just for a laugh, but not as an artist since the fat would keep them from being a true ballerina), and we all know that some anorexic model can't be a lumberjack. There is indeed a need for discrimination, but it has to be logical and applied across the board to all employees depending upon their job description.

Reply »

XCORTEZ, 5-04-2010, 4:00PM

2.5 stars vote downvote upReport
XCORTEZ

First of all- I seldom, if ever, add comments because of idiots like 'david, the self-described all-knowing-consumer. In light of the Fascist Police State of Arizona, your comment only serves to know that biggoted people do exist among us. You are a blithering idiot, david!

Thank you, Marit, your comments are the period.

Reply »

 
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