Topman forced to withdraw two ‘offensive’ t-shirts following social media uproar.
Following an angry social media backlash, Topman was forced to withdraw two t-shirts from its shelves on Wednesday.
The t-shirts – one comparing women to dogs and the other seemingly joking about domestic abuse – provoked a stream of outraged messages across social network sites like Twitter.
In the wake of the uproar Topman released a statement: “ Whilst we would like to stress that these tshirts were meant to be light hearted and carried no serious meaning we have made the decision to remove these from store and on-line as soon as possible. We would like to apologise to those who may have been offended by these designs.”
SW Londoner took to the streets of Kensington and Chelsea to find out:
Do you think the t-shirt slogans are offensive?
|
Option |
Result |
|
Yes |
9% |
|
No |
73% |
|
Don’t know |
18% |
Irwin Schafer, 56
“Some, like Green Peace, use t-shirts to make a statement, this is just tongue in cheek. But I think if you want to look like a prat you would wear one. Do people have to be so visible with things? Maybe you would wear it if you have those [sexist] thoughts, I don’t have those thoughts.”
Jack Stole, 21
“It’s just a laugh. Why do people take things so seriously?”
Kate Richards, 30
“I don’t find it offensive but I imagine some people would so it’s right to remove them.”
Emile Wyborn, 28
“No, it’s not offensive. Probably doing Topshop a world of good in terms of publicity.”
Sarah McDonough, 55
“Yes, it could be seen as offensive. I don’t really think that’s funny, is it? They are quite ugly.”
Katie Sullivan, 28
“I don’t think it’s that bad, a bit of furore over nothing.”
Trudie Cummings, 43
“Ohhh, naughty. No, I’m not offended!”
