Urban Outfitters, the clothing chain that offers young people “bohemian, hipster, ironically humorous, kitschy, retro, and vintage styles,” is not all what it seems. The store, which has become incredibly popular with the todays progressive and modern youth, is actually hiding away some very dark secrets, the majority of which would not be received well by their customers.
In a video released by The HuffPost Show (featured below) some shocking facts about the chain Urban Outfitters are revealed. In the list below we have round up 4 of the most shocking facts from that video to help you become a more informed and ethical shopper.
- Anti-gay
The President and CEO of Urban Outfitters, Richard Hayne, is a supporter of the anti-gay politician Rick Santorum. According to PolitiFact, Richard Hayne has “given over $14,000” to the noted homophobe. Reportedly, at least $1,000 of these donated finances were made after Santorums made statements “comparing homosexuality to beastiality.”
Haynes views on homosexuality, although unrevealed—he said in a statement regarding the matter, “I have my own opinion, but I am not going to share it.”—are also playing a role in his business.
- Urban Outfitters Products Are Sexist, Racist And Insensitive
Although Urban Outfitters has appeared in the news multiples times for their offensive products, it appears many people are still unaware that the company is profiting at the expense of others. So far they have essentially insulted every race, religion and gender with their insensitive and often stereotyping products. Disturbingly, the company even released a Kent State sweatshirt designed to look like it was covered in bloodstains; in 1970 four students died at the school shooting.
- Urban Outfitters Steal The Work Of Other Designers
Many independent designers and craftspeople have accused the company of stealing their entire designs; on multiple occasions once these accusations have been made, the company soon removed these products from their stores. As speculated by writer Courtney Heitter, the company likely takes theses chances because of “its dominance within the industry.”
- The Company Really Does Just Take What It Wants
When the company isn’t stealing other people’s work they are “freeloading off people’s cultures.” As mentioned in the HuffPost Show, the Navajo Nations sued Urban Outfiters from trademark infringement after the company release a line of products using the tribe’s name and symbols.
In the last quarter on 2015, the company achieved record sales of just over $1 billion. It can therefore be assumed that as the company grows financially it will steadily gain more power within the industry. With this power, the company is likely to continue to steal other’s creative work and profit from offensive products.
Urban Outfitters also owns Anthropologie, Free People, Terrain and BHLDN.
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Although I’m not an American so wouldn’t access Urban Outfitters but yes it’s very well known how rag trade will steal other peoples designs ideas especially those who are small businesses I’ve even heard where students portfolio where photocopied while they were going for an interview. Boycott wherever you can possibly with reason the chain stores try to support small fledging/quality businesses or make your own stuff by buying vintage materials to remake. I don’t know if America still produces good cotton for material purposes & how expensive but most of the stuff we get through New Zealand comes from China & is really expensive so understandable it cost so much for the average punter to homemake & that is another story of supply control, loss arts/craft skills, economies & monopoly e.t.c.