Dolce & Gabbana
(Photo: Facebook/Dolce & Gabbana)

Chinese celebrities and models refused to attend Dolce & Gabbana's annual fashion show in Shanghai amid online criticism over its alleged racist campaign ad and due to the racist outburst by as one of its founders.

Dolce & Gabbana's The Great Show in Shanghai scheduled on Wednesday has been canceled as one of its social media campaigns promoting the fashion show was said to be racist towards China and the Chinese people, prompting celebrities and models to boycott the said event, according to the South China Morning Post.

The advertisement, with hashtags #DGLovesChina and #DGTheGreatShow, featured an Asian model wearing the brand's garments and accessories while she tries to use chopsticks in eating Italian foods like spaghetti and pizza cannoli. Several social media users criticized the ad, saying the fashion company had lacked an understanding of Chinese culture.

The incident becomes much worse as one Instagram user, Diet Prada, posted screenshots of alleged conversation from Dolce & Gabbana's designer, Stefano Gabbana, where he described China as "a country of s***." The designer claimed his Instagram account had been hacked and he said that he's really sorry for what happened. The company issued an apology as well, saying sorry to "China and the Chinese people."

However, their apology wasn't enough to save the annual fashion show as several celebrities and models refuse to attend and walk on the event. Among celebrities that withdraw their attendance include movie star Chen Kun, he arrived Wednesday morning in Shanghai just to attend the show but announced he wouldn't go to the event later on.

Actress Dilireba said on Weibo she will not go to the fashion show as well, writing she's proud of the best possible motherland and it is above everything else. Dilireba was appointed as D&G ambassador back in February.

Another D&G ambassador, singer Karry Wang Junkai, shared her sentiments about the incident, saying: "The motherland is above everything. We are deeply proud and confident about Chinese culture and spiritual aesthetics. No doubt you are the best!"

For actress Zhang Ziyi, the fashion company was "inviting humiliation." Model agency Dongfang Binli also pulled out all of its 24 models, and they put a "Not Me" tag on their online profile pictures as a sign of protest. Supermodel Jin Dachuan announced he wouldn't take part and attend any D&G's event in the future. TF Boys, as well as Li Bingbing also publicly announced they no longer wish to attend the event.