Ivy Asia apologises and launches internal review following ‘racist’ marketing video

The Ivy Asia has apologised for a marketing video posted to its Instagram account that was accused of being racist, offensive and culturally insensitive, and has since been deleted.

The video promoting the brand’s restaurant in Chelsea was criticised for exoticising and fetishising Asian women.

A spokesperson for the Ivy Asia said: “We would like to sincerely apologise for the offence caused by our marketing video. It was wrong. It was done naively and it was totally inappropriate and culturally insensitive. We had a complete ignorance of understanding.

“We are conducting an immediate internal review into our marketing processes and publication guidelines to make 100% sure this does not happen again.

“We need to educate ourselves and we are already looking to engage the relevant external bodies to review concept, culture and all internal and external processes.

“We must learn lessons and move forward in a totally new and appropriate way. Once again, we apologise unreservedly.”

The Ivy Asia is a brand under restaurateur Richard Caring’s Caprice Holdings portfolio, along with the Ivy Collection, J Sheekey, Sexy Fish and Scott’s.