Vivienne Westwood CEO Under Fire Over Homophobic Bullying Allegations

The Vivienne Westwood fashion house is facing intense scrutiny following an independent investigation that upheld multiple allegations of homophobic bullying against its chief executive, Carlo D’Amario.

The findings, confirmed in June 2023 by employment barrister Paul Livingston, revealed that D’Amario repeatedly used homophobic slurs, bullied employees, and discriminated against staff based on their sexuality. Despite the findings, D’Amario remains in his position, while the complainant who initially raised the grievance has since left the company.

A Disconnect Between Image and Reality?

The allegations have sparked concerns about whether the progressive values championed by Dame Vivienne Westwood—a staunch advocate for LGBT+ rights and gender expression in fashion—have endured within her company.

While Vivienne Westwood Ltd has publicly embraced queer culture, including a recent collaboration with non-binary singer Sam Smith, the investigation’s findings suggest a disconnect between the brand’s external messaging and its internal leadership culture.

The Investigation and Findings

The allegations against D’Amario emerged when a gay employee filed an internal grievance in 2023, prompting the company to commission an independent probe. Eight witnesses were interviewed, and the investigation upheld five of the accusations, concluding that D’Amario had likely breached employment law.

According to the report, D’Amario frequently used homophobic nicknames for the employee, such as “Mary Poppins,” “Mary Fairy,” and “Homo Pomo.” One staff member recalled that D’Amario often used the term “homo pomo” in a way they found offensive.

Witnesses also reported that he criticized store displays for looking “too gay”, a comment that left some employees “horrified.”

When questioned, D’Amario denied all allegations, claiming that sexuality was “the last thing in [his] brain” and that any misunderstandings were due to language barriers. However, the investigator found his explanations “not persuasive.”

Further Allegations and Leadership Criticism

Beyond homophobic slurs, witnesses alleged that D’Amario made disparaging remarks about gay employees, including stating, “All these gay men in the company… you can’t trust them.” He also reportedly referred to well-dressed employees as part of a “gay parade.”

Allegations of racist remarks also surfaced, with one staff member claiming that D’Amario once told them, “I’m not racist, but all your clients are members of the mafia.”

The controversy over D’Amario’s leadership escalated in November 2023, when Cora Corré, Vivienne Westwood’s granddaughter, resigned from the company. In her resignation letter, Corré accused D’Amario of misusing Westwood’s designs, obstructing charitable fundraising efforts, and even bullying Dame Vivienne Westwood before her death in 2022.

She further alleged that Westwood had been unhappy with D’Amario’s leadership and had wanted him removed from the company. The fashion house did not respond to these claims at the time.

Vivienne Westwood Ltd’s Response and Next Steps

The findings of the Dobbs review determined that D’Amario’s behavior violated the company’s equality policy. Additionally, it revealed that Westwood and D’Amario had not completed mandatory diversity training.

Despite this, Vivienne Westwood Ltd has taken no public disciplinary action. Financial records show that D’Amario earned nearly £500,000 in 2023, further fueling criticism over the company’s lack of accountability.

The fashion house has repeatedly declined to comment on whether any action will be taken against D’Amario, leaving serious questions about its commitment to the values it publicly promotes.

With growing scrutiny on workplace culture and leadership accountability in the fashion industry, the brand now faces a defining moment: will it continue to back its CEO, or take decisive action to uphold the rebellious, inclusive legacy of Vivienne Westwood?