Suitsupply is facing a serious social media backlash in response to an advertising campaign featuring gay men kissing…
Suitsupply is receiving homophobic backlash after unveiling their spring/summer 2018 “Find your perfect fit” ad campaign. Earlier this week the European suit-maker released the imagery for their latest campaign, which features male models posing intimately and kissing while sporting the brand’s latest collection.
The ad campaign is currently on display in nearly 100 Suitsupply stores across 22 countries, and is splashed across their social media channels and website.
The social-media backlash was swift, fierce, and expected. Within 24 hours of unveiling the images (Wednesday, February 21) the brand had lost over 12,000 subscribers on Instagram.
While many praised Suitsupply’s attempt at inclusivity, thousands came out and accused the company of “promoting a gay agenda,” and even threatened to boycott the label.
“This is awful! I will never dress anything from your store. Disgusting propaganda”, commented one Instagram user.
Another added: “You just lost a customer Suitsupply.”
Responding to the controversy, Suitsupply CEO Fokke de Jong pointed to the positive messages of support the fashion brand had received amongst the hatred.
He told Business Insider: “We do not aim to and cannot control the reactions, however, the new followers and positive messages that have been prominent in our social media is a good indicator that this campaign has been well received and has impacted many people positively.”
“It’s amazing what one kiss can do,” he added.
De Jong added that a mainstream advertising campaign featuring “gay imagery” was “long overdue”, and denied claims that the company was exploiting the gay community.
“The message of this campaign is love, attraction and passion,” he said. “We are a fashion company and we sell clothes but it was not targeted to commercialise the gay community.
“It was to show the message of love and attraction stylised by Suitsupply.”
Need a new suit? May we suggest showing a little love to Suitsupply?
RELATED:
Suitsupply’s Spring/Summer 18 Campaign Puts The Spotlight On Gay Love
POST A COMMENT