Ex-Versace Employee Claims the Company Uses a Code Word for Black Customers (UPDATE)

Versace is being sued by a former employee, who claims the company discriminated against black customers.

December 26, 2016

Not Available Lead — Image via Complex Original
Complex Original

UPDATE (12/27/16):

Versace released the following comment to Complex by email:

See the original story below.

A former employee of Versace is suing the luxury retailer for alleged racial discrimination.

According to a lawsuit filed in November, 23-year-old Christopher Sampino claims the managers of a Bay Area Versace store had encouraged discriminatory practices among its sales staff. Sampino said that shortly after he was hired, he was trained to use a code word, "D410," to alert the other staff there was a black customer in somewhere the shop. D410 is Versace’s official code for black-colored clothing.

After learning this information, Sampino said he responded with a question that seemed to shock his manager: “You know that I'm African-American?"

Sampino claims management treated him differently following his comment. The lawsuit reads:

Though Sampino insists his job performance exceeded expectations, he was terminated less than two weeks after he was hired. Managers reportedly said their decision wasn’t based on his ability to complete tasks; it was because the plaintiff “[doesn’t] understand luxury” and “[doesn’t] know the luxury life.” He said he was also asked to quit to “make the paperwork easier.”

Sampino is seeking an unspecified amount in unpaid wages and damages. According to TMZ, Versace has denied the allegations and has filed a request to dismiss the lawsuit.