Fashion names call for boycott of Dorchester Collection hotels

Designer’s including Brian Atwood and Peter Som have taken to their social media

accounts to ask fashion week attendees not to stay at any of the hotels in The Dorchester Collection owned by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, in response to Brunei’s new anti-gay laws.

"Don't stay at the Principe di Savoia, Le Meurice, or the Dorchester during Milan, Paris or London Fashion Weeks this June to October," Atwood urged his Instagram followers. "Send a clear signal to their owner, the Sultan of Brunei, that stoning people to death for being gay in Brunei is not acceptable."

His call to boycott was then retweeted by a number of fashion names including Peter Som, Valentino's partner Giancarlo Giammetti, and Decades boutique co-owner Cameron Silver.

The planned boycott was in reaction to Brunei revising the law for committing a homosexual act in Brunei from a 10-year prison sentence to "stoning to death as the specific method of execution for crimes of a sexual nature".

The hotel chain has responded to the proposed boycott with a statement reiterating its commitment to diversity.

"We are aware that many variations of Sharia law are practiced in many countries throughout the world, and these countries have diverse business interests, including fashion, hospitality and travel groups, media, entertainment, banking and many other sectors," stated a spokesperson for the Dorchester Collection to WWD. "We are sensitive to the fact that any such potential withdrawal of business directly impacts our employees, who represent the full diversity of society. Our loyal and dedicated employees have no involvement in this religious and political issue."