Lingerie chain Agent Provocateur under fire for Russian links

Agent Provocateur is under fire for keeping its Russian shops open despite the war in Ukraine.

The luxury lingerie firm has 13 stores in Russia, according to the Leave Russia project at the Kyiv School of Economics. 

They are still trading despite a slew of western firms pulling out.

Perfect fit: Model Naomi Campbell wears Agent Provocateur lingerie. The firm has continued to 4keep its 13 Russian stores open

Its Russian website hosts its latest lines, including the Tiarna, a full set which costs around £1,000.

The brand argues it only runs stores operated by a franchise partner. The Russian franchise is owned and run by London-based Azerbaijani businesswoman Aizel Trudel. 

But Mark Dixon of the Moral Rating Agency, which tracks companies involved in Russia, said: ‘Having a legal franchise agreement is zero excuse for continuing to supply products to Russia. No one has the duty to dance with the devil.

‘It either needs to exit the franchise agreement or break it on moral grounds which we call “moral force majeure”. 

No one should support a regime like Putin’s or make money while doing so.’ The brand, bought in 2017 by Mike Ashley’s Four Holdings, is part of Frasers Group.