Tag: fashion brand

  • Fashion brand Boohoo’s ‘Made in UK’ clothes actually manufactured in South Asia

    Fashion brand Boohoo’s ‘Made in UK’ clothes actually manufactured in South Asia

    UK fashion brand Boohoo has been accused of labelling clothes made in Pakistan and other Asian countries as ‘Made in UK’.

    In a report by BBC, it has been revealed that the retailer brand Boohoo has been found to have mislabelled items of clothing made in South Asia as indigenously manufactured.

    In a Panorama investigation, it was shown that plain T-shirts and hoodies had their original labels removed at Boohoo’s flagship factory in Thurmaston Lane in Leicester, last year.

    Thurmaston Lane opened two years ago and was promoted by the retailer as a UK manufacturing centre of excellence, offering end-to-end garment production in the UK.

    The mislabelling took place at the factory, affecting up to one in 250 of Boohoo’s global supply of garments between January and October 2023.
    The BBC estimates that this could amount to hundreds of thousands of wrongly labelled garments. However, the retailer would not provide precise figures.
    Boohoo claims it was an isolated incident which had happened as “a result of human error”.

    A company spokesperson said, “We have taken steps to ensure this does not happen again.”

    The garments had been shipped from Pakistan and other countries in South Asia to Boohoo’s Leicester factory where they were printed on.

    Boohoo is considering closing its Leicester factory and relocating operations. However, the clothing retailer said plans to shut the site are not related to the findings of the Panorama investigation, adding that due to “significant investments” at its US distribution centres, it must take steps to ensure the brand is a “more efficient, productive and strengthened business”. It also suggested that the incorrect labels were down to a misinterpretation of the labelling rules.

  • Zara issues clarification over controversial photoshoot, Faryal Makhdoom calls it ‘utter b/s’

    Zara issues clarification over controversial photoshoot, Faryal Makhdoom calls it ‘utter b/s’

    Spanish fashion label Zara has removed all the pictures of their latest campaign which took the internet by storm for its glaring similarity with the ongoing siege of Gaza. “Zara regrets that misunderstanding and we reaffirm our deep respect towards everyone,” states the statement of the brand.

    The statement says that the idea was purely artistic and it was conceived and executed way before October 7.

    Netizens are commenting and criticising Zara without having any qualms as a fashion blogger and YouTuber Faryal Makhdoom commented, “whatever, utter b/s”.

    Blogger Sana Khader posted, “How easy for you to come and gaslight us. We all know it was intentional. What do you have to tell us about the Map of Palestine in the background of your pictures? Was it also planned before? Don’t be ridiculous. You’re done.”

    Model Romi Allata, commented, “Boycott Zara FOREVER , Now the whole world can know the true you we don’t need a toxic apology.”

    Previously, fashion label Zara ignited a new wave of controversy with its recently launched ad campaign, with model Kristen McMenamy standing in a room with mannequins covered in white shrouds surrounded by rubble.

    The caption however suggests that Zara’s latest is a “limited edition collection” to celebrate the label’s “commitment to craftsmanship and passion for artistic expression”. However, internet users are alleging that the ad bears a striking resemblance to images of Gaza under Israeli airstrikes.

    Zara has not offered any official statement addressing the claims. However, the most controversial picture from the ad campaign, featuring the model holding a ‘body’ wrapped in white sheets appears to have been removed from the label’s Instagram and Twitter.

    “And the award for the most tone-deaf brand of the year goes to Zara. Using imagery of Israel’s genocide of Palestinians to sell their fast fashion brand of clothing,” criticised a Twitter user.

    Pro-Palestinian accounts took to Twitter to start the campaign against the Spanish retailer for it to be banned altogether for using genocide in Gaza to promote their new collection. #boycottzara has been trending on Twitter ever since.

    Some were reminded of the heart-wrenching picture of a mother holding her dead child in funerary shrouds, almost similar to the one posted by Zara.

    Others demanded the brand be boycotted for hitting a new low.

    In 2021, the company experienced a similar backlash after its head designer, Vanessa Perilman, made anti-Palestinian comments on social media.
    “Maybe if your people were educated then they wouldn’t blow up the hospitals and schools that Israel helped to pay for in Gaza,” Perilman had told Palestinian model Qaher Harhash on Instagram.

    Actor Ushna Shah laments the world we live in where they are openly killing and openly mocking.

    Zara’s branches in occupied territories reportedly suffered significant financial losses due to the previous boycott, estimated at tens of millions of shekels within a short period.

    Since October 7, many have joined the boycott campaign against several multinational brands for their links to Israel and in some cases their support for them.

    The brands include McDonalds, KFC, Starbucks, and H&M, among others.

  • Fact Check: Is Maulana Tariq Jamil selling nara’s for Rs 550?

    Claim: Mualana Tariq Jamil’s company MTJ is selling nara’s for 550 per piece

    Fact: MTJ is not selling any nara’s

    Just days after Maulana Tariq Jamil’s flagship store opened its doors in Karachi, news of the brand selling nara’s (drawstrings) at a price of more than Rs 500 started circulating on social media with some people criticizing the religious scholar for selling overpriced stuff.

    However, according to a press release circulating on social media, the brand has denied the news of selling drawstrings.

    “It has come to our notice that MTJ- Tariq Jamil is being accused of selling drawstrings (nara) for Rs.550 apiece,” reads the statement.

    “We would like to clarify that the news is fake.”

    “We do not manufacture drawstrings (nara) and our stores and website have never placed such article for sale,” the statement added.

    “Please beware of spreading false news and help us report those who are involved in this malpractice.”

    Maulana Tariq Jamil was criticized for starting his own clothing brand despite being a religious cleric after which he shared a video message on his social media accounts to explain the reason for launching his own brand.

    “Since 2000, I had been thinking about starting a business for my religious activities, especially to run a madrassa. During COVID-19’s lockdown, I have the opportunity to put that idea into practice.”

    “That was my intention [to make the madrassas self sufficient] and a few of my friends collaborated with me, after which we launched a brand with my name,” he added.

    VERDICT: FALSE