Forever 21 can’t seem to keep its name out of the headlines lately, and this recent “Fake News” product drop is alienating any journalists who might have frequented the store.
Here’s the deal: Forever 21 unveiled its “Fake News Graphic Biker Shorts” online, which featured the phrase “Fake News” branded all over the cotton/spandex shorts. Six months later, the shorts were posted to Twitter, and what resulted next was the usual social media frenzy.
Here’s just a couple of the outraged tweets:
This is not funny, cute or fashionable, @Forever21. Why are you selling this product? https://t.co/cXs0NeOMfD
— Pamela Wood (@pwoodreporter) July 23, 2019
Turns out, all you need to express your hatred for journalists in clothing form is $9.90, to be given to @Forever21! Wow, so affordable! pic.twitter.com/MrcYGjgCoz
— Kat Fominykh (@katfominykh) July 22, 2019
It turns out, however, that the situation is not black and white (unlike the shorts). While several journalists were upset about Forever 21’s message, the shorts sold out almost immediately. So, the assumption can be made that some shoppers actually appreciated the sentiment.
It seems this was in stark contrast to the same situation that Bloomingdale’s found itself in. If you recall, the retailer faced criticism for its “Fake News” T-shirt after a journalist posted about it online. Bloomingdale’s subsequently pulled the T-shirt and issued an apology.
It’s hard to find a lesson in all of this when it seems to vary on a case-by-case basis. But, Forever 21 almost seems like it’s trying to stir up controversy lately. Immediately after the “Fake News” stories started to pour in, there was an even bigger Forever 21 story that made headlines.
It turns out Forever 21 sent Atkins Bars to shoppers who purchased plus-size items.
I went from a size 24 to 18, still a plus size girl, so I ordered jeans from @Forever21 Opened the package, when I looked inside I see this Atkins bar. What are you trying to Tell me Forever 21, I’m FAT, LOSE WEIGHT? do you give these to NON-PLUS SIZE WOMEN as well? pic.twitter.com/ds8kUTs7T7
— MissGG🏳️🌈♿️♒️☯️☮️💟 (@MissGirlGames) July 19, 2019
That’s a big no-no in the retail world, so we will wait to see how Forever 21 explains this one. It will also be interesting to see if Forever 21 addresses the “Fake News” biker shorts.
