Russian figure skater Adeliia Petrosian has claimed that luxury fashion houses Dior and Louis Vuitton refused to sell her products at an airport boutique in Milan after identifying her as a Russian national.
Petrosian said the incident took place during her travels around the 2026 Winter Olympics period. Recalling the experience on the ALEKÓ In My Bag show, she explained that the interaction with store staff shifted noticeably after her identification was checked.
“I still feel a bit bitter about what happened,” she said. According to Petrosian, she had entered the Dior store intending to purchase a ring and a pair of earrings, but was asked to present her passport before completing the transaction.
The 18-year-old explained, “The girl at Dior asked to see my passport. And when she saw my red, my burgundy passport, she said ‘No, we cannot sell anything to people from Russia’”.
She added that the restriction appeared to extend beyond one brand. “Louis Vuitton also has the same rule,” she told the show host. Petrosian then attempted to make the purchase through a friend from Georgia who was traveling with her, but said that effort was also unsuccessful after the staff reviewed their travel details.
She further added, “She apologised and refused to sell anything since we were flying to Moscow. So yeah… not a great experience. It just feels off. Makes you wonder if it’s even worth buying these brands after that.”
Russian figure skater Adeliya Petrosyan says she was refused service at Milan airport boutiques after staff saw her Russian passport, and even trying to buy through a non-Russian companion didn’t work:
— Brian McDonald (@BrianMcDonaldIE) April 5, 2026
"I wanted to buy earrings and a ring at Dior, but once they saw my Russian… pic.twitter.com/ZNJSu8hhdY
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Adeliia Petrosian is widely regarded as one of Russia’s brightest young talents in figure skating, having competed on some of the sport’s biggest international stages. During the 2026 Winter Olympics, she took part under a neutral designation, rather than representing Russia directly.
Why Dior, Chanel, And Others Are Restricting Russian Sales?
The reported refusal of service aligns with the broader sanctions framework introduced by the European Union following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Under current EU regulations, the export of luxury goods to Russia valued at over €300 per item is prohibited.
The restrictions cover a wide range of high-end products, including designer clothing, handbags, jewelry, electronics, and premium vehicles. These measures also extend to transactions that could directly or indirectly benefit individuals traveling to Russia.
Luxury brands operating within EU jurisdictions are required to strictly adhere to these rules. In certain cases, this includes conducting additional checks, such as verifying a customer’s identity, nationality, or travel destination, to ensure compliance with export controls.
The sanctions form part of a coordinated effort by the EU and G7 nations to curb Russia’s access to high-value imports and limit financial flows tied to its economy and industrial sectors.
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Beyond retail restrictions, Russia’s presence in global sports has also been significantly impacted. Following measures introduced by organizations such as the International Olympic Committee, Russian athletes have faced eligibility limitations across major international competitions.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics, those who were cleared to compete did so under the designation of Individual Neutral Athletes, without national symbols, colors, or flags.
