So, this happened:
https://twitter.com/lachlan/status/511505994674085888
Ditto.
@lachlan I swear fashion designers have had their tact lobe removed.
— Taxpayer1234 ?????? (@Taxpayers1234) September 15, 2014
Urban Outfitters is causing a furor with that sweatshirt. Gee, we wonder why.
This "vintage" Kent State University sweatshirt looks like it has blood splatters: http://t.co/UqdxYmJWbK pic.twitter.com/cWJKGgZmFL
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) September 15, 2014
Urban Outfitters' red-stained, "vintage" Kent State sweatshirt is not a smart look this fall. http://t.co/MuJhCoyrbS pic.twitter.com/Zf4WehMTik
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 15, 2014
https://twitter.com/bccover/status/511502694155313152
Urban Outfitters’ awful blood-spattered Kent State sweatshirt is now for sale on eBay: http://t.co/nQy9GmmPKh pic.twitter.com/cMn5BMFuzw
— New York Magazine (@NYMag) September 15, 2014
Kent State responds to Urban Outfitters: "This item is beyond poor taste": http://t.co/Rmlq83KVnx pic.twitter.com/Fj0LlK9Cpu
— Bloomberg (@business) September 15, 2014
And then came the predictable non-apology apology.
Urban Outfitters sincerely apologizes for any offense our Vintage Kent State Sweatshirt may have caused. It (cont) http://t.co/o3oKyPJFu8
— Urban Outfitters (@UrbanOutfitters) September 15, 2014
The full faux-pology via TwitLonger:
Urban Outfitters sincerely apologizes for any offense our Vintage Kent State Sweatshirt may have caused. It was never our intention to allude to the tragic events that took place at Kent State in 1970 and we are extremely saddened that this item was perceived as such. The one-of-a-kind item was purchased as part of our sun-faded vintage collection. There is no blood on this shirt nor has this item been altered in any way. The red stains are discoloration from the original shade of the shirt and the holes are from natural wear and fray. Again, we deeply regret that this item was perceived negatively and we have removed it immediately from our website to avoid further upset.
Recommended
We’ve seen some pitiful fake apologies before, but this one is right up there at the top of the absurdity pile.
https://twitter.com/ZThoren/status/511544897342410752
Urban Outfitters say "The company said it regrets "this item was perceived negatively." <- That's not an apology.
— Paul Rayment (@paulruk) September 15, 2014
https://twitter.com/davepurcell/status/511539668480176128
https://twitter.com/murphyredmond/status/511538106009649152
https://twitter.com/phelony_jones/status/511536763685195776
https://twitter.com/mmajeski06/status/511517612992630784
Congrats, Urban Outfitters. You've crafted the most insincere apology AND the least believable explanation in the same statement.
— Ian Froeb (@ianfroeb) September 15, 2014
So there’s that. Kudos!
Nothing like doubling down on idiocy and offending your customer base even more.
@PiaGlenn That "apology" is even more offensive than the actual item, because @UrbanOutfitters must think we are ALL VERY STUPID.
— Nefarious Newt (@NefariousNewt) September 15, 2014
https://twitter.com/DanOwen6/status/511517557832957953
shorter @UrbanOutfitters : "There's only splatter splotches on that Kent State shirt that remind of bloody 1970's because you see them".
— Pouncing Coder Brad (@bradcundiff) September 15, 2014
Bingo.
Urban Outfitters could learn a thing or two about real apologies from DiGiorno Pizza.
And what about this, UO?
The lack of judgment permeating companies is staggering. How many people signed off on the #KentState sweatshirt? pic.twitter.com/nuSgztvYZ2
— Carol Roth (@caroljsroth) September 15, 2014
Perhaps this is why?
Was it jealous of Zara's Holocaust shirt? RT @swin24: @UrbanOutfitters statement, re: blood-stained Kent State shirt: pic.twitter.com/1eEFM4nGbN
— Annie Karni (@anniekarni) September 15, 2014
https://twitter.com/bsandusky/status/511520933761527808
Yep. Remember that outrageous shirt?
And here is an evergreen exit reminder:
https://twitter.com/lachlan/status/511508792560087040
Related:
‘My God!’ Zara pulls shirt with Holocaust imagery, but then doubles down on offensiveness? [photos]
DiGiorno Pizza enrages with outrageous hashtag tweet; Politicians can learn from its apology
‘Lunatic!’ Melissa Harris-Perry ‘apologizes’ to Romneys (with self-serving hashtag); Do you buy it?
Join the conversation as a VIP Member