Fashion wars: U.S. store pulls 'pro-violence' Palestinian T-shirt

Haaretz ^ | 5/23/2008 | Alison Avigayil Ramer

[mojito]

Popular U.S. clothing store Urban Outfitters has halted sales of a T-shirt apparently supporting Palestinian violence that has sparked outrage in the American Jewish community.

The T-shirt, created by Los Angeles-based designer "Fashion Jive," depicts a young Palestinian boy carrying an AK-47 assault rifle, over the word "Victimized." The T-shirt also shows the Palestinian flag, a map of the Palestinian territories and a small white dove. The item sold online for $25.

"If Urban Outfitters is good at something, it is getting publicity," remarked Ami Cohen, works for American Apparel in Tel Aviv. "This company has a history of coming into conflict with Jews."

Several years ago, the company played on the "Jewish American Princess" stereotype by selling T-shirts with the slogan "Everybody Loves a Jewish Girl," surrounded by dollar signs and shopping bags.

In 2007, it again came into conflict with Jewish and pro-Israel consumers for selling versions of a traditional Arab headdress, the kaffiyeh, as an "anti-war scarf."

Although the firm's CEO, Dick Heyne, argued that the company had not intended "to imply any sympathy for or support of terrorists or terrorism" by selling the kaffiyeh, some argue that selling of the "Victimized" T-shirt does just that.

"Of course this T-shirt is supporting terrorism," said Leah Weiss, a fashion designer who recently immigrated to Israel. "I've joined a Facebook group to boycott Urban Outfitters and get rid of their clothes. I will never shop there again."

[steveo]

I’m just surprised that DD’s ad company didn’t see any issue with the choice.

I think they'll learn. FRegards..

[mojito]

“Urban Outfitters, Inc. (Urban Outfitters), incorporated in 1976, is a lifestyle specialty retail company that operates under the Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People and Terrain brands, and it also operates a wholesale business under the Free People brand. In addition to its retail stores, it offers products and markets its brands directly to the consumer through e-commerce Websites, and Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie and Free People catalogs. It operates two business segments: a lifestyle merchandising retailing segment and a wholesale apparel business. The retailing segment consists of Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People brands and Terrain brands, whose merchandise is sold directly to the Company’s customers through its stores, catalogs, call centers and Websites. The wholesale apparel segment consists of Free People Wholesale division that designs, develops and markets young women’s contemporary casual apparel.”

http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?rpc=66&symbol=URBN.O

Here's a list of their officers and directors:

Marlow, Tedford 56 2001 President of Urban Brand, Worldwide
Hayne, Margaret — 2007 President - Free People
Bodzy, Glen 55 1999 General Counsel and Secretary
Belair, Scott 60 1976 Director
Cherken, Harry 58 1989 Director
Lawson, Joel 60 1985 Director
Strouse, Robert 59 2002 Director
Ross, Robert 39 1999 Controller
Kyees, John 61 2003 Chief Financial Officer
Senk, Glen 51 2007 Chief Executive Officer, Director
Zausner, Freeman 60 2003 Chief Administrative Officer
Hayne, Richard 60 1976 Chairman of the Board, President

[sheik yerbouty]

Thanks for the info..

[Hatheos]

Yes, it does look very similar to the type of scarf the Palestinians wear. I can understand the confusion. I haven’t been on for a few days and noticed that Dunkin Donuts has pulled the ad.