Gap Kids Causes Fury With Sexist Clothing For Toddlers

Gap UK is in the shit again as another one of its clothing lines draws criticism, this time for being sexist in a selection of its Gap Kids ensembles. In the news most recently for its apparently racist clothing campaign, Gap is no stranger to the wrath of Twitter, and it sure copped it for this new gaff.
The clothing in question showcases two outfits – one for boys and one for girls – and makes a distinct comparison between the two genders in its clothing choices.
The boy wears a blue t-shirt with an image of Albert Einstein on it, the caption reading ‘The Little Scholar’, and the description suggesting, “Your future starts here. Shirts + graphic tees = genius idea.”
The young girl, on the other hand, wears a pink shirt, accompanied by a caption that says, ‘The Social Butterfly: Chambray shirts + logo sweaters are the talk of the playground.”
For anyone who thinks that sexist marketing to children isn’t a problem… Really @UKGap ? HT @PsychScientists pic.twitter.com/BnGCQhujwG
— Let Toys Be Toys (@LetToysBeToys) July 31, 2016
“Absolutely incredible,” U.K. Parliament member Chi Onwurah wrote on Twitter. “It’s 2016, we have a skills and productivity crisis and [Gap] is perpetuating gender stereotypes.”
Absolutely incredible. It’s 2016, we have a skills & productivity crisis & @UKGap is perpetuating gender stereotypes https://t.co/bResWyUSUb
— chi onwurah (@ChiOnwurah) July 31, 2016
Meanwhile, female-focused STEM networking group Science Grrl also pointed out the irony that Einstein appears to be misspelled on the boy’s T-shirt – although not any more on the brand’s website.
Oh dear. They’ve even mis-spelled ‘Einstein’. #sciencefail #facepalm #tryagain @UKGap https://t.co/utawjQ5J8X
— Science Grrl (@Science_Grrl) August 1, 2016
Naturally, the rest of Twitter also went for the jugular on this one:
Beyond parody @ukgap have retreated to 1950s sexism and can’t spell Einstein @LetToysBeToys @UKGap @PsychScientists
— Lovelyjane (@reallovelyjane) July 31, 2016
No wonder girls don’t choose #STEM careers after they’ve been subjected to this rubbish growing up. Seriously!!! https://t.co/kfJ0NcrGKB
— S-A Somerville (@S_A_Somerville) July 31, 2016
@S_A_Somerville The face of the girl in the advert is saying: “Are you kidding me? Why do I get cat ears & he has Einstein?” @LetToysBeToys
— Clara Nellist (@claranellist) July 31, 2016
ARE YOU KIDDING ME @Gap @UKGap?! Boy = scholar, girl = social butterfly… WTAF?!!! https://t.co/BsTA5fG7zO
— Laurie Winkless (@laurie_winkless) July 31, 2016
Not only is @UKGap peddling sexism to *kids* but the boy geniuses (?) can’t spell Einstein. H/T @LetToysBeToys pic.twitter.com/xDUs0wxSZA
— Clare O’Connor (@Clare_OC) July 31, 2016
What kind of message is this sending to our girls (and boys for that matter)? #AskHerMore #NotBuyingIt @UKGap pic.twitter.com/jXvSY5HbFF
— Miss Representation (@RepresentPledge) August 1, 2016
WTAF @Gap @UKGap?? Which moron is responsible for this choice piece of sexism & stereotyping? It’s 2016 FFS! pic.twitter.com/KaU3wYKdVB
— Caroline Hardman (@LittleHardman) August 1, 2016
Dear @UKGap my daughter & son both love to have genius ideas-please don’t limit them. Ps you spelt Einstein wrong https://t.co/VyKY6Ju0Xo
— ruth walker-cotton (@walkercotton) July 31, 2016
No word from Gap as of yet on the toddler tees.
Latest News

What It Takes To Help Build Brand Trust Online In 2021
By Suzanne Mitchell, Senior Director of Marketing at GoDaddy Australia As 2021 dawns in Australia, it does so with greater stability and hope for businesses and individuals than since the pandemic intensified locally last March. The Covid-induced digital transformation boom has created, in its wake, a hyper-individualised world whereby audiences have more control over what, […]

Mumpower Launches Inaugural ‘Vote On Purpose’ Australian Business Awards 2021
To celebrate brands going “above and beyond to act with purpose”, Mumpower has announced its first-ever consumer choice awards. The ‘Vote on Purpose’ Australian Business Award 2021 aims to crown Australia’s favourite purpose-driven company, with Mumpower now calling on both corporations and Mum shoppers to nominate a value-led company or a specific brand campaign that […]

BREAKING: Justin Drape Departs The Monkeys
B&T delivers a breaking news industry scoop. And, trust us, this time we're 79.98% certain it's even correct.

Outbrain Signs Three-Year Deal With Australian Community Media
Outbrain signs deal with Australian Community Media. Discover the brains behind the deal in this insightful synopsis.

Stan Sport Subscription Price Revealed
Sports fans will have to pay $10 a month to sign up for Stan Sport when it launches later this year, according to reports. The Nine-owned Sydney Morning Herald, is today reporting that Stan (also owned by Nine) will offer Stan Sport as a supplementary service, meaning fans must also have a subscription to Stan’s […]

Guardian UK Honours Kamala Harris Inauguration With Full-Page Ad, Via Uncommon
Once again the power of print is on show here. It's also on show for those who enjoy craft using papier-mâché.

Sitecore Secures US$1.2B In Funding
Sitecore has secured $US1.2 billion in funding. Said to be prioritising internal chocolate river and flying elevator.

Mintel Announces Global Consumer Trends For 2021
It's the latest global consumer trends report that, as you'd expect, continues to be bad news for airport duty frees.

2021 Data Predictions: What To Expect In The Year Ahead
Once again, data set to join omnichannel and full-service as the advertising industry's most ubiquitous words.

Sarah Wilson Launches New PodcastOne Australia Series
You have to hand it to Sarah Wilson, doesn't eat sugar AND has so far refrained from murdering anyone.

David Beckham Leads Star-Studded Adidas Football Promo, Using WhatsApp
David Beckham - women want him, men want to be him. Despite his wife constantly taking all the wardrobe space.

Morse Micro Appoints Milk & Honey PR To Enhance Brand Identity
Have absolutely no idea what Morse Micro even do? Discover the power of PR by reading this submitted press release.

Metro Commercial Radio Ad Revenues Down 10.4% In December Quarter
Kyle forced to eat beans from a tin in fingerless mittens as the great plague continues to savage ad revenues.

Endemol Shine Announces Leadership Shakeup
Endemol Shine announces management shakeup. Still no news on the enduring appeal of the actual edamame, however.

Stan Inks Exclusive Content Deal With Walter Presents
Stan inks latest content deal that unfortunately doesn't include Best Of Red Faces or Ask The Leyland Brothers.

Bohemia Appoints Chloe Schneider As Head Of Content
Chloe Schneider joins the Bohemia team and provides DIY press pic thanks to local passport photo booth.

News Media Bargaining Code Remains “Unworkable” For Facebook
Sure, you may not be reading any of B&T's News Media Bargaining Code coverage, but you have to admire our persistence.

Oz Premiers, PM Share Lamb Chops In Berlin Wall Art Parody, Via The Monkeys
Look, it's the second instalment of the lamb ad. And it's even better than the first, like Radiohead's second album.

UnLtd Board Welcomes Verizon Media MD Paul Sigaloff
Verizon's Paul Sigaloff joins the UnLtd board. Forced to sit on milk crates until arrival of leatherette swivel chair.

Sorrell Grabs Another One As MediaMonks Merges With German Auto Agency Staud Studios
Sir Martin invests in new set of lederhosen and felt alpine hat after snaring latest German agency.

Shutterstock Reveals Visual Trends 2021
Global creative platform Shutterstock has launched the 10th anniversary edition of its annual Creative Trends Report, highlighting the trends that will inspire creative expression and ingenuity in 2021. Announcing the report, Shutterstock creative director Flo Lau said that, after the year that was, the company was encouraged by the “positivity, originality, and resilience displayed by […]

Ogilvy Australia CEO David Fox To Head Middle East & North Africa Office
David Fox hurriedly learning where Tunis and Marrakesh even are after landing North Africa-Middle East role.

Vic Gov Chooses QMS For Its Holidaymaker Fire Warnings
It wouldn't be a B&T newsletter without the latest outdoor news. Well, save for the past four that is.

Jobs On The Rise: 2021’s Looking Good For Marketers, Digi Pros, Podcasters & Bloggers
It's the latest hot jobs report! Get set for that unsettling, stomach churning nausea feeling if yours ain't on it.

Have We Entered Peak Podcasting? 2021 Predictions
This columnist asks have we reached peak podcasting? We've definitely reached peak cavoodles, Aperol Spritz & man buns.

Lenovo Turns Aussie Tech Review Into A Death Metal Song
By playing this death metal song backwards you may conjure Satan himself, or really annoy the shit out of colleagues.

Are Media’s BEAUTY/Crew Unveils Seasonal Digital Issues
Look, here's the latest industry beauty news that'll have your sagging epidermis glowing by the end of the third paragraph.

Bastion Collective Launches New Interactive Experience Agency Bastion Interactive
Bastion Collective launches new arm, Bastion Interactive, which is a specialist interactive experience agency headed up by ex DDB Tribal Managing Director.

Major US Networks ‘Boycott’ Trump Farewell Address
Outgoing and twice impeached President Donald Trump released a pre-recorded farewell as he departed Washington. But many of the US’ major networks didn’t show it. Trump was banned from Facebook and Twitter in the wake of his supporters’ attack on the US Capitol on 6 January. His personal account on YouTube has also been suspended […]

Facebook Journalism Program Helps News Publishers Find New Subscribers
New data from Facebook shows that an initiative aimed at supporting local news publishers is showing early signs of success. Australian and New Zealand publishers participating in the Facebook Journalism Project’s Reader Revenue Accelerator in 2019 and through 2020 secured more than 24,000 new paying subscribers and more than 160,000 new loyal readers (whether through […]