A mom, her daughter, and their friend are taking Louis Vuitton to court, accusing the luxury brand of racial discrimination after being banned from its stores.
Tracy Renne Williams, her daughter Brandi Williams, and friend Kristopher Enoch filed their lawsuit in California, claiming the company discriminated against them despite being loyal customers who spent approximately $500,000 annually.
According to the lawsuit, the trouble began in September 2022 when Tracy, a VIP client, preordered $50,000 worth of merchandise.
However, she later received an email from Louis Vuitton stating they would no longer be able to assist her. Tracy attempted to shop at the Beverly Hills store but was informed she was banned, with staff threatening to arrest her if she returned.
Compounding her frustration, she had not received either the merchandise or a refund for the purchase.
To test the situation, Tracy sent her white assistant to buy the same items she had preordered. He reportedly received respectful treatment and was able to pay in cash without issue.
Tracy claims the situation cost her over $40,000 in losses due to her social media presence, where she often flaunts her luxury purchases to a dedicated following.
Brandi Williams shared a similar experience, alleging she was accused of using drug money to fund her purchases and was banned from stores in both Chicago and New Orleans.
In New Orleans, she was threatened with arrest. Kristopher Enoch, the third plaintiff in the case, was denied the opportunity to buy a jacket, with no explanation provided by store staff.
The lawsuit accuses Louis Vuitton of racial and business discrimination, tortious breach of contract, and theft.
The plaintiffs argue that their race played a central role in the brand’s actions, while non-Black customers, like Tracy’s assistant, faced no such restrictions.
The high-profile lawsuit highlights ongoing concerns about discrimination in luxury retail spaces, and the plaintiffs are seeking justice for the damages they say were caused by Louis Vuitton’s racially biased practices.
