This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2018/jan/08/h-and-m-apologises-over-image-of-black-child-in-monkey-hoodie

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
H&M apologises over image of black child in 'monkey' hoodie H&M apologises over image of black child in 'monkey' hoodie
(11 days later)
Retailer removes photograph of model in top bearing words ‘Coolest monkey in the jungle’ after condemnation
Press Association
Mon 8 Jan 2018 14.57 GMT
Last modified on Tue 9 Jan 2018 16.47 GMT
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
View more sharing options
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest
Share on Google+
Share on WhatsApp
Share on Messenger
Close
H&M has apologised for an advert showing a black child in a green hoodie bearing the words “Coolest monkey in the jungle”.H&M has apologised for an advert showing a black child in a green hoodie bearing the words “Coolest monkey in the jungle”.
The ad sparked a backlash on social media, with some calling it inappropriate, disgusting and negligent.The ad sparked a backlash on social media, with some calling it inappropriate, disgusting and negligent.
The image of the model in the green hoodie has been removed from the H&M website; two similar designs modelled by white children remain.The image of the model in the green hoodie has been removed from the H&M website; two similar designs modelled by white children remain.
One bears the words “Mangrove jungle” and “Official survival expert”; the other has outlines of various animals including giraffes and tigers.One bears the words “Mangrove jungle” and “Official survival expert”; the other has outlines of various animals including giraffes and tigers.
The Labour MP Kate Osamor tweeted: “I was totally shocked, dismayed to say the very least, to find this online imagine. hm do you think this imagery is an appropriate representation of a young black boy?”The Labour MP Kate Osamor tweeted: “I was totally shocked, dismayed to say the very least, to find this online imagine. hm do you think this imagery is an appropriate representation of a young black boy?”
Alex Medina, who works in brand design, tweeted: “In the year 2018 there’s no way brands/art directors can be this negligent and lack awareness. If you look at other sweaters in same category, they have white kids. We have to do better.”Alex Medina, who works in brand design, tweeted: “In the year 2018 there’s no way brands/art directors can be this negligent and lack awareness. If you look at other sweaters in same category, they have white kids. We have to do better.”
A person tweeting under the handle vulkaanrots said they would boycott the store: “So the black kid gets to wear the H&M sweater with ‘Coolest monkey in the jungle’ and the white kid with ‘Survival expert’. This is beyond disgusting.A person tweeting under the handle vulkaanrots said they would boycott the store: “So the black kid gets to wear the H&M sweater with ‘Coolest monkey in the jungle’ and the white kid with ‘Survival expert’. This is beyond disgusting.
“It’s a projection of your neocolonial thinking. You won’t see me anywhere near your shops these days hm.”“It’s a projection of your neocolonial thinking. You won’t see me anywhere near your shops these days hm.”
A spokeswoman for the retailer said: “This image has now been removed from all H&M channels and we apologise to anyone this may have offended.”A spokeswoman for the retailer said: “This image has now been removed from all H&M channels and we apologise to anyone this may have offended.”
H&MH&M
Race issuesRace issues
Retail industryRetail industry
newsnews
Share on FacebookShare on Facebook
Share on TwitterShare on Twitter
Share via EmailShare via Email
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn
Share on PinterestShare on Pinterest
Share on Google+Share on Google+
Share on WhatsAppShare on WhatsApp
Share on MessengerShare on Messenger
Reuse this contentReuse this content