People Are Calling Out This Brand Over A Sweater With A Problematic Slogan
13 September 2018, 14:35
The brand has apologised, explaining that they were trying to bring awareness to online bullying. Many have criticised the harsh slogan and choice of model.
Clothing brand Revolve has removed a controversial design from their site this week, after being called out for a sweatshirt slogan that many found offensive.
The retailer was criticised for a sweatshirt, named Paloma Sweatshirt, which touted the slogan "being fat is not beautiful it's an excuse".
People soon began to call out the sweatshirt's messaging, highlighting that the sweatshirt on a thin model was very problematic.
Hey @REVOLVE what the actual fuck is this??? You actually were my favorite place to online shop but the fact that this made it through however many people it did and on to your website is so fucking mind blowing and disappointing. Biggest fail of a campaign I’ve ever seen pic.twitter.com/mdhOMFXV7n
— Jenn McAllister (@jennmcallister) September 13, 2018
LOLLLLL @REVOLVE y’all are a mess. pic.twitter.com/CrzOkd5oE4
— Tess Holliday 🥀 (@Tess_Holliday) September 12, 2018
What in the fatphobia is going on?! Who proofread this and thought this was okay?! @REVOLVE https://t.co/WG65SRe8Ya
— me, a fat 🦋 (@SimoneMariposa) September 12, 2018
The exorbitant cost of the sweatshirt was also called to attention, with the slogan top priced at an eye-watering $168.
A charity jumper at £162, using very small models to promote fatphobic quotes, it’s very messy.
— Felicity (@FelicityHayward) September 12, 2018
Writer and actress Lena Dunham, who was initially involved in a collaboration for this campaign, offered her own thoughts on the controversy, explaining on Instagram that the sweatshirts were meant to "highlight quotes from prominent women who have experienced internet trolling & abuse."
Dunham also called out the fact that Revolve had shared the designs "without consulting me or any of the women involved" and "presented the sweatshirts on thin white women."
Model and writer Tess Holliday had her own critique of the situation, explaining that inclusive model choice and sizes was a necessity for this type of campaign.
I hope this is a lesson for brands that if you are going to launch merch intended to break down stereotypes in regards to “fat” bodies, you need to use a VISIBLY plus size model & have size inclusive sizes. You can stop at XL (which is prob a junior plus), you have to do better.
— Tess Holliday 🥀 (@Tess_Holliday) September 13, 2018
Revolve has since pulled the collection and offered an apology, clarifying that the designs were unveiled a day early and without context.
Revolve will donate $20,000 to Girls Write Now "in the hopes that those who need it can still benefit from what was to be a meaningful, insightful and impactful collaboration by LPA."