Star Magazine’s latest issue claims “several of the brands sold and endorsed by the Kardashian family are manufactured in China under sweatshop conditions.” The magazine made the bombshell accusation after it was revealed the executive director of the Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights has launched an investigation into the manufacturing facilities where Kardashian products are made, specifically Shoe Dazzle.
In an interview with Star, the executive director of IGLHR, Charles Kernaghan, discusses the prison-like conditions of these factories, where children as young as 16-years-old work up to seven days a week for as little as $1 an hour. After the interview was published, the internet blew up with headlines such as “Slave Labor Keeps the Kardashian Costs Down” and “Kardashian Family Using Slave Labor, Sweatshops To Produce Merchandise?”
However, it turns out Kernaghan has not actually been to any of the manufacturing facilities where Kardashian products are made, yet. His interview and outrageous claims were based on Guangdong factories he has been to. In an interview with TMZ, Kernaghan admitted he cannot say the Kardashians promote slave labor because he has not finished his research and investigation.
“Star magazine went with their article before we got a chance [to see the factory],” Kernaghan said. “We had no idea they were working on this.” Kernaghan admitted the IGLHR was “just in the process of trying to track the factories down and get the research done.”
Yet the damage is done and now momager Kris Jenner has legitimate claims to argue Star’s cover story and Kernaghan’s interview caused damage to the brand’s reputation. We smell a defamation suit being filed very, very shortly. Stay Tuned.
