Bloomingdale’s Apologized for Possibly Promoting Date Rape in Holiday Ad
Holidays are for family, celebration, and commemoration, but, let’s be honest, they’re also about clothes. More specifically, buying new ones for all the parties and events that fill up your social calendar from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. The season’s also about eating, but mostly drinking. So Bloomingdale’s combined all of these elements into one add. Smart? Not when the tagline is super rapey.
“Spike your best friend’s egg nog when they’re not looking,” the caption reads alongside an image of two models dressed to impress. She’s wearing a lace skirt and a white tuxedo blazer with black lapels, throwing her head back jollily, while a man in a tuxedo looks on with a mischievous look.
The ad was posted to social media, where it was condemned by many users.
Wrong on so many levels. Shame on you #Bloomingdales! https://t.co/FJat19QtMe
— Roxanne St. Claire (@roxannestclaire)
In case it needs saying, DO NOT SPIKE YOUR BEST FRIEND’S EGGNOG. OR ANYONE’S EGGNOG. OR ANYONE’S DRINKS. EVER. #Bloomingdales
— Jack Monroe (@DrJackMonroe)
Oh yeah #Bloomingdales, every woman’s dream Christmas present is to be date raped. ?? I despair at times. pic.twitter.com/UlgkQvyXYA
— Laura Jackson (@lauracjayy)
#Bloomingdales says to spike a friend’s eggnog when they’re not looking. Horrific and offensive. Especially if it’s in a plain red cup.
— Brian Rush (@BrianRushNYC)
Nothing says Christmas like ads with rapey overtones……..apparently. #Bloomingdales https://t.co/9mLIEFrFKs
— A Jockistani Abroad (@brianintucson)
This subsequently prompted a response from the retailer.
We heard your feedback about our catalog copy, which was inappropriate and in poor taste. Bloomingdale’s sincerely apologizes.
— Bloomingdale’s (@Bloomingdales)
A brand representative also issued a statement to Tech Insider: “In reflection of recent feedback, the copy we used in our recent catalog was inappropriate and in poor taste. Bloomingdales’ sincerely apologizes for this error in judgment."
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