Police probe illegal parties selling luxury clothes, handbags
Video has emerged online of a luxury brand showing designer goods at a champagne party in a posh Melbourne home, with the Premier slamming the blatant breach of lockdown rules, stating “there’s nothing urgent about a luxury handbag”.
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Police will investigate reports of illegal designer clothes parties being held in posh Melbourne homes after video emerged of a secret Fendi sale.
“Victoria Police is aware of a video circulating online which shows a potential breach of the directions issued by the Chief Health Officer.
“Police are investigating the incident,” Sergeant Megan Stefanec said.
In the video, seen by the Sunday Herald Sun, glitzy, fur coats and designer bags are on display, with scores of Fendi carry bags stacked neatly on the floor and cheese platters, strawberries and champagne on the table.
Shops are currently shut because of COVID-19 lockdown and visitors are not allowed to private homes.
However, a photo was posted on social media by a Melbourne woman of masked Fendi sale representatives, tagged as Salvatore Ferraloro and Alessandro Picotto, at the door of a house, with the caption “best service ever, what an amazing experience”.
“You’re the first one … seeing this first darling, literally,” one of the men exclaims in a video, before a woman can be heard gushing over the jackets, displayed on a rack inside the house.
Three days ago Mr Picotto posted a photo to Facebook of three people clad head-to-toe in Fendi clothes and accessories, with the caption the “Fendi Mafia”.
According his to Facebook profile, Mr Picotto has been a client advisor at Fendi since August 2018.
Mr Ferraloro’s profile shows he started in “Fendi management” in April last year.
His LinkedIn profile states he is a Fendi assistant store manager.
Asked about the reported home shopping party, Premier Daniel Andrews said it was “not on”.
“No one should be going into any homes regardless of how well-heeled the client may be or how luxury the goods may be, no matter what you’re selling or what price you’re paying,” he said.
“This virus does not discriminate … Victoria Police . . can have a close look at that, because that should not be going on, if indeed it is.
“You just can’t be having people into your home, unless it’s absolutely necessary.
“You can have a plumber come to your house if you’ve got a pipe that’s burst and you can have an electrician come if there’s some urgent issues with the wiring or something of that nature.
“But there’s nothing urgent about a luxury handbag.”
The Sunday Herald Sun tried unsuccessfully to contact Fendi’s Australian head office, and Mr Ferraloro and Mr Picotto, for comment.
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