Valentino Apologises For Publicising Handbag Held By Amy Adams At Philip Seymour Hoffman Wake

Fashion house Valentino has been compelled to apologise after a photo of Amy Adams attending the wake of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was used promotionally in a press release to publicise that Adams was carrying a bag from their current season. Adams was one of the many who was hit hard by the Capote star's death as the pair had co-starred in numerous films and were firm friends.

Amy Adams Was "Appalled" By Valentino's Promotional Use Of Her Photo.

Valentino released two papped images of a clearly grieving Adams carrying their $2,500 handbag to journalists and fashion bloggers along with the message: "We are pleased to announce Amy Adams carrying the Valentino Garavani Rockstud Duble bag from the Spring/Summer 2014 collection on Feb. 7 in New York," via The Express.

In response to the publicity generated by Valentino's very misplaced advertising, Adams' representative issued the following statement: "Amy Adams is not a paid spokesperson for Valentino and the suggestion she would use this moment to participate in a promotion is truly appalling."

Philip Seymour Hoffman Was Found Dead Last Sunday After A Suspected Heroin Overdose.

The designer label was forced to reply amidst an outcry from those who branded their marketing move insensitive and outrageous. "We regret releasing a photo of Amy Adams with a Valentino bag. Unaware of the circumstances it was a mistake and we apologize to Ms. Adams," was the tweeted statement.

Additionally, Valentino spokeswoman Mona Swanson furthered the apology, saying "We sincerely regret releasing a photo to the media this morning of Amy Adams with a Valentino bag. We were not aware the photograph was taken while she was attending the wake of Philip Seymour Hoffman's death. It was an innocent mistake and we apologize to Ms Adams who was not aware, or a part of, our PR efforts."

When The Actress Attended Hoffman's Funeral, The Bag Was Nowhere To Be Seen.

Hoffman was found dead in a New York apartment last Sunday (2nd Feb.) by his friend, the playwright David Bar Katz. The Oscar-winning actor was allegedly found with a syringe still in his arm surrounded by drugs detritus and fresh packets of what is believed to be heroin, prompting New York police to suspect an overdose as the primary cause of death.

Adams, who is nominated for the lead actress Oscar this year for American Hustle, had co-starred alongside Hoffman 2012 Oscar-nominated film The Master, 2008's Doubt and Charlie Wilson's War in 2007. She was due to star in the Hoffman-directed Ezekiel Moss, a period piece, sometime this year.