SINGAPORE – The TikTok teen who was shamed online for calling Charles & Keith a “luxury” brand will be having the last laugh.
The brand invited Zoe Gabriel and her father to have lunch on Wednesday with its founders, brothers Charles and Keith Wong, who, "coming from humble beginnings, were so inspired by her humility".
They also toured the Charles & Keith headquarters on Thursday.
Zoe posted about her visit, describing it as "fun". Both Zoe and her father were taken on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the company. They met Keith Wong, who is also the chief executive, and he shared more about the company with them.
In addition to the black Double Handle Tote Bag which was featured in her TikTok, she was seen wearing a pair of Satin Platform Sandals from the brand in her post.
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Zoe was mocked by some users after she uploaded a video to the social media platform on Sunday, thanking her father for her "first luxury bag" from the home-grown fashion brand. The Charles & Keith tote is priced at $79.90 on Charles & Keith's website and the most expensive bag she owns.
While Charles & Keith remained mum on whether it would sponsor any bags for her or collaborate with her, a source from inside the company tells The Straits Times she was gifted "with products and vouchers".
The 17-year-old, who told The Straits Times over e-mail her family moved to Singapore from the Philippines in 2010, replied to the trolls by posting a follow-up video in which she tearily explains her humble background and talks about privilege.
Both clips have since gone viral, attracting 5.6 million views.
“My family didn’t have a lot. We couldn’t buy things as simple as bread from BreadTalk… when we first moved to Singapore… Your comment spoke volumes on how ignorant you seem because of your wealth,” said the eldest of four siblings who is currently homeschooled but will be graduating in a few months.
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Miss Gabriel’s mature response did not just impress many viewers, but also the team from Charles & Keith.
The company’s spokesman told ST in an e-mail: “Our heart really went out to Zoe, but we were so impressed with (how gracefully) she handled the situation, displaying wisdom far beyond her years and values that resonated with us greatly.
“Our founders believe that our products should spark joy, empower fashion lovers and give them confidence, something we believe she presented so eloquently in her video and for which we are so grateful.”
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Charles & Keith was founded by brothers Charles and Keith Wong in 1996, who learned all about the business by working at their mother’s shoe store at Ang Mo Kio.
Starting out as a humble outlet at the former Amara Shopping Centre, the brand morphed into a household name not long after, growing to more than 600 stores and employing about 4,000 people worldwide.
In 2011, French luxury giant LVMH) acquired 20 per cent of the company, but the Wong brothers have since bought it back.
They were recently named in Forbes’ 2022 list of Singapore’s 50 Richest, with a net worth of about $1.04 billion.
Many netizens say this viral incident highlights the ignorance of the privileged in Singapore.
Fundraiser Ivy Wong, 31, who heard about the news on the radio, said it reminded her of a similar experience from her past.
She told ST: “When I was young, one thing on my wish list on my blog was ‘Branded clothes like Topshop’. One netizen commented that it is not branded, and ‘high street at most’. But Topshop was already beyond what I could afford.”
Ms Wong added: “This incident highlights the blind spot of people who grew up with privilege and take it for granted. They can’t imagine what it is like for peers to grow up in a low-to-middle income background, much less poor.
"However, it is also heartening to witness those who have called out the ignorance of those who shamed this teenager. They show awareness of inequalities that exist and do their part to level the playing field.”
This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.
