Global activewear brand Lululmeon has been forced to apologise after a now ex-employee posted an image of a “racist” t-shirt on his Instagram page.
The t-shirt, which was designed by American artist Jess Sluder, features a picture of a box of fried rice with bat wings and the words “no thank you” written inside the box and on the sleeves.
Ex-employee Trevor Fleming posted a link to his Instagram page promoting the shirt, with social media users quick to call out the piece of clothing for being racist and xenophobic.
Sluder, who designed the shirt, wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post: “Where did COVID-19 come from? Nothing is certain, but we know a bat was involved,” along with #batfriedrice and #humornothate.
Fleming, who was previously employed as an art director at Lululemon, reposted the image. Fans were quick to notice the blunder, taking to the brand’s Instagram page to air their disappointment.
“Lululemon, usually I am one of your biggest customers,” one person wrote. “Today, however, I am disappointed by your lack of transparency. Not only did your employee blatantly display xenophobia and racism, but he also exploited COVID19 just to make a few bucks.”
“Will not be purchasing or wearing anything from this brand unless proper action is taken and racism is addressed,” said another.
Fleming apologised for advertising the shirt and said he did “not participate in any part of its creation”.
Lululemon was quick to respond. The brand said it “acted immediately, and the person involved is no longer an employee.”
“We want to apologize that an employee was affiliated with promoting an offensive t-shirt,” the brand replied to another comment.
“We hold our values at our core and find the image and post inexcusable.”
Lululemon also made it clear the shirt was not one of its products.
Zoe Aitken (main photo) is the head of consulting at behavioural science and innovation consultancy Inventium and has over 20 years’ experience helping organisations develop customer-centric growth strategies and innovation. In this guest post, Aitken says some of the best ideas come in dark times and, suggests, COVID maybe the excuse you need to instigate […]
With its rich heritage in motor racing, The Bathurst 1000 is finally in the hands of a brand that lives and breathes the sport. To celebrate, Repco is Bringin’ the Bathurst to absolutely everything they do. The Bathurst 1000 has always been more than a race. The iconic event at Mount Panorama is a symbol […]
Having double in size during 2021, SPEED has appointed Kaylene Tunney and Steph Marshall to their leadership team
Not only do The Monkeys have fossil fuel clients, it's got meat clients, too. Still, hasn't impacted its cool cachet.
Sanitarium Australia and The Zoo Republic have teamed up to develop and launch a new and exciting cricket promotion, to be found on Weet-Bix packs across the nation. Building on Weet-Bix’s affiliation with cricket superstars Ellyse Perry and Marnus Labuschagne, the promotion features AR technology to bring the cricket pitch to the breakfast table.
B&T loves the regionals in summer. That said, we don't like the sweaty drives & snaking traffic jams to said regionals.
Violet Crumble Caramel Milk has arrived and it's a testimony to food technologists & artificial sweetening everywhere.
Whenever B&T's having a brainstorm, we reach for the Post-It Notes. Or, the beer coaster, which is typically closer.
Let's face it, COVID does not discriminate. Unlike warts, cold sores and thrush, which can all be a bit discriminatory.
Indago Digital has announced four new client wins, as the independent agency continues its growth trajectory. Indago’s new clients are P&N Bank, Oneflare, salary packaging company Smartgroup, and charity Kids Giving Back. The agency will handle a combination of SEO and paid search for each client. Indago’s digital managing director, Gary Nissim (pictured above), said: “The […]
The Chaser roasts NAB over 'greenwashing' claims. Which is arguably better than the ACCC's money laundering claims.
Nine out of 10 Aussies want truth in political ads. Are far less bothered by truth in breakfast cereal & fast food ads.
Reporter attacked by flock of turkeys. Already eyeing sage and apple stuffing and cranberry sauce as delicious revenge.
It's been so long even B&T's pining for Virgin's departure delays, overpriced drinks and soggy inflight sandwiches.
Here's another great example of agencies doing good. Although the evil does tend to be the funner pitch to work on.
Dami Im has the voice of an angel, but she can't cook for shit judging by last night's Celeb MasterChef elimination.
Study finds Victorians increasingly anxious about reopening. Even more anxious about Dan Andrews' North Face jackets.
Zac and Jess' fifth instalment for Dubai Tourism is here! And here's you thinking they were getting samey by the fourth.
Phyllis Robinson was one of the founding employees of Doyle Dane Bernbach back in 1949, the agency’s first copy chief and the first female copy chief in the United States. Robinson was a pioneer, not just for women but for the creative advertising revolution that she helped ignite, changing the face of the industry forever. […]
TBWA's Katrina Alvarez-Jarratt's promotion to ECD proves what can be done when not pissing off the client.
Mindshare New Zealand has announced its new partnership with Make-A-Wish Foundation, a purpose-driven charity with a mission to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. The partnership, which is effective immediately, will elevate Make-A-Wish Foundation’s digital marketing strategy in New Zealand. It will aim to increase and nurture donors, drive brand awareness and ultimately […]
When on business, B&T chooses to stay at Quest. Well, only if the cheaper, dodgier option is already booked out.
Is digital measurement the hot topic at your agency? Here at B&T it remains the hottest Love Island contestant.
The Australian is celebrating a decade since it became the first general newspaper in Australia to launch its digital subscription model, marking the beginning of a new economic model for Australian newspapers. Since launching, digital subscriptions have grown to represent a majority of The Australian’s total reach, paid audience and consumer revenue. In 10 years […]
After every weights workout, B&T reaches straight for a My Muscle Chef. So, yeah, we've never actually eaten one.
Are the lavatories at the Nature offices called 'the call of Nature', one has every right to ask?
PodSpot Studios, the first network of purpose-built studios founded by content creator and former breakfast radio host Dave Matthews, has launched in two new locations as it gears up for further national expansion amid Australia’s podcasting boom. PodSpot Studios is a collaboration between Matthews’ podcast production company PodSpot and the ASX-listed WOTSO Property, which owns and […]
If this doesn't get you pumped for cricket season then failing to move off the couch for five days definitely will.
Mistakenly thinking it's June & you've still got six months to Xmas? Get your head & calendar right with this webinar.
Destination NSW unveils a stunning new piece of work that sadly doesn't feature Gladys Berejiklian surfing.
