As college fashionistas we are mostly familiar with Urban Outfitters, the brand that has become a staple in our online shopping addictions. However, Urban Outfitters recently released a “’Vintage’ Red-Stained Kent State Sweatshirt”, selling for $129 on their online site, that has caused a tremendous amount of backlash and uproar – and rightfully so.
The red coloration of the shirt, along with questionable holes, seems to reference a dark past in Kent State University history. Many news outlets are calling the sweatshirt “blood-spattered, bloody-looking, blood-like.” The item was quickly taken off their website, saying that the sweatshirt had “sold out.”
The Kent State Shootings took place in the seventies, and resulted in the death of four unarmed, university students during an anti-Vietnam War Protest. One female victim was on her way to class. The protest was felt across the nation, and as current collegiettes we are able to grasp how horrific an event of this magnitude would be.
Kent State issued a statement saying, “We take great offense to a company using our pain for their publicity and profit. This item is beyond poor taste and trivializes a loss of life that still hurts the Kent State community today.”
Urban Outfitters issued a brief Twitter apology claiming the sweatshirt was part of an ongoing “sun-faded” collection and by no means a reference to the shootings. The brand also says “There is no blood on this shirt nor has this item been altered in any way.” No sh*t there is no blood on the sweatshirt, but no one is buying the “red stains are discoloration from the original shade of the shirt and the holes are from natural wear and fray” excuse.
Many people have taken to Twitter, using the hashtags #urbanoutfitters and #UrbanOutfittersNextDesign, to express their disappointment and disgust with the poor judgment of the brand. Only recently, Urban Outfitters also removed their “Lord Ganesh” bedding after insulting Hindus, and their “Depression” crop top after offending many more.
What’s next, Urban? As collegiettes, it’s important to stay informed and consider which brands you are choosing to support.