Valentino bosses apologize over Amy Adams handbag stunt

Executives at fashion house Valentino have issued a public apology to Amy Adams after they were accused of promoting a new handbag by releasing a picture of the actress carrying the purse at Philip Seymour Hoffman's wake.

The Oscar nominee was photographed carrying the red leather bag on Thursday (06Feb14), when she attended a memorial in New York in honor of her Doubt co-star, who was found dead on 2 February (14).

Officials at the luxury fashion firm subsequently sent out a press release with the snap of Adams holding the purse, adding, "We are pleased to announce Amy Adams carrying the Valentino Garavani Rockstud Duble bag from the Spring/Summer 2014 collection on Feb. 6 in New York."

Company bosses were accused of exploiting the actor's wake for publicity purposes, and executives have now issued an apology to Adams in a post on Twitter.com. The message reads, "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."