Benetton cuts ties with Toscani

The Benetton Group said that it was breaking off ties with Oliviero Toscani after the star photographer caused an outcry by saying “who cares” in relation to the 2018 Morandi-bridge collapse that claimed 43 lives.

Toscani, who has long collaborated with Benetton and worked on several controversial ad campaigns that helped the clothing company become a big worldwide brand, has apologised and said his words were misinterpreted.

“In disassociating itself in the most absolute way from the comments by Oliviero Toscani about the Ponte Morandi, the Benetton Group, with its President Luciano Benetton, acknowledges that it is impossible to continue the relationship of collaboration with the creative director,” a statement said.

The well-known photographer made the explosive remarks during a RAI radio program to comment on a controversy sparked by a photograph portraying the founders of the Sardines anti-populism grassroots movement together with him and Luciano Benetton, whose family controls Autostrade per l’Italia.

The company has been accused of being responsible for the collapse of the Morandi bridge because it allegedly failed to take the necessary action to prevent the disaster in August 2018.

Via ANSA/ Benetton Group