One to file under “What the hell were you thinking?”: Hong Kong store’s Nazi theme sparks fury.
What genius decided that using Nazi symbols on fashion was a good idea? Apparently the designer “wanted the clothes to have a military theme and did not realize that the Nazi symbols would be considered offensive.” As much as I despise ignorance, I could forgive it, if it were indeed just a single person who created this, then quickly apologized for their stupidty and yanked the line. But this is far too blatant to have been a mistake from the company’s viewpoint.
Marketing personnel spend a lot of time proofing concepts and final designs. Designers do not get to create something and have it placed untouched in front of the public. It just doesn’t happen. Several layers of approval and proofing exist in every form of marketing groups, whether it is an agency, or an in-house department. The fact that the company’s marketing manager, Deborah Cheng said “We’re seriously considering removing the displays. But before we take them off, we have to find a replacement,” shows that this company is only thinking of the bottom line.
Also, I would think that someone along the line would have questioned the theme of the clothesline and its associated props, halting the display before it could be presented to the public. Apparently the staff at one store knew enough to try to stop an AP photographer from taking pictures of the event, yet they didn’t take the banners and swastika-adorned objects down.
I truly hope there is a consumer backlash in Hong Kong and that this company is put out of business. .. Actually no, I hope that the top level executives are fired from their posts and that every store manager that didn’t register a complaint ahead of the boiling point is demoted to janitor level.
Morons.