Bstroy clothing are receiving backlash for making hoodies inspired by school shootings
18 September 2019, 15:24
"You are absolutely deplorable. How dare you take my school's name and emblazon it on your tasteless and cruel 'avant-garde fashion'."
A clothing brand is being criticised for its controversial decision to design hoodies inspired by the devastating school shootings in the US.
READ MORE: James Charles claps back at troll who roasted his New York Fashion Week outfit
Bstroy, which was co-founded by Atlanta-based duo Brick Owens and Dieter Grams, debuted their insensitive Spring 2020 collection at New York Fashion Week. Later, Bstroy shared images of models wearing hoodies that read "Columbine", "Virginia Tech", "Stoneman Douglas", and "Sandy Hook" on their Instagram page.
13 people were killed at Columbine, 27 people were killed at Sandy Hook, 32 people were killed at Virginia Tech, and 17 people were killed Stoneman Douglas.
To make matters worse, the hoodies displayed bullet hole details, referencing the fatal injuries suffered by multiple students that were shot and killed.
Unsurprisingly, the brand received a lot of backlash for trying to turn the terrible tragedies into fashion statements.
Under what scenario could somebody think this was a good idea? This has me so upset. If any of my followers no anybody involved with this clothing line, please ask them to stop it immediately.https://t.co/VzAlog0TCt
— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) September 17, 2019
Putting bullet holes in school sweaters isn’t shining light on an issue. It’s being provocative for the sake of being provocative. And that’s not very provocative. It’s not artistic. It lacks refinement. It lacks intelligence. It lacks design skill. It is lazy at best. pic.twitter.com/ADCXaCFcdQ
— B/G (@bibbygregory) September 14, 2019
This absolutely trash, bstroy. pic.twitter.com/MVCA3LMGUq
— lil shorty bulgogi (@wsupden) September 16, 2019
that bstroy collection is just disrespectful like put all that “if it gave u a reaction that means its good” bullshit aside and realize they profiting off tragedies.
— alexander (@byalexburke) September 17, 2019
Today is just sad bro. Apparently “Bstroy” is making clothes out of High schools that got shot up. Bro this is not a good look at all. I feel sorry for you modeling this WHACK ASS SHIT ! Fuck how much they paying you. You feel some type of way pull up. pic.twitter.com/W5ooVVxBlN
— Noah Lee Swagger (@LOBBYQUE) September 16, 2019
hopefully bstroy and brick owens get a big ass lawsuit, oh they made stoneman douglas and sandy hook ones too pic.twitter.com/BMnqCQ7kob
— frank (@franky_ortiz) September 16, 2019
@bRicKOwens you are absolutely deplorable.
— Jami Amo (@AmoMeant) September 18, 2019
How dare you take my school's name and emblazon it on your tasteless and cruel "Avant garde fashion".
We survivors will not stand for this and the heat is on, we are adding fuel to fire as we speak. #BoycottBstroy bstroy
BSTROY GO TO FUCKING HELL. FUCK YOU. IVE NEVER FELT SO FUCKING OUTRAGED. pic.twitter.com/FUNpNhB1sQ
— 𝕵𝖚𝖑𝖎𝖊𝖙 (@julietmariaa) September 18, 2019
Bstroy responded to the backlash on Instagram in a statement.
It read: "Sometimes life can be painfully ironic. Like the irony of dying violently in a place you considered to be a safe, controlled environment like school.
"We are reminded all the time of life's fragility, shortness, and unpredictability yet we are also reminded of its infinite potential. It is this push and pull that creates the circular motion that is the cycle of life.
"Nirvana is the goal we hope to reach through meditation and healthy practices that counter our destructive habits. Samsara is the cycle we must transcend to reach Nirvana."