This comes barely three months after skincare brand, Nivea received backlash for an ad that promised “visibly fairer skin” if consumers used its Natural Fairness Body Lotion. On H&M’s site, a black child model posed humbly in a green sweatshirt that had ‘Coolest monkey in the jungle’ inscribed on it. In the case of H&M’s racially insensitive photo campaign, not only are people calling out the clothing brand but they are instantly rewriting (and redesigning) the narrative. The retailer says it’s dealing with an extremely serious, sensitive and volatile situation and will provide further updates at a later stage.Ī number of H&M stores in Gauteng were ransacked during the EFF supporters' demonstrations.The racial and disparaging representation of black people as apes, monkeys and other members of the primate family has its place in history and in recent years when racism, in all its forms, is being actively debated against, another racist ad by a major brand would be met by nothing less than outrage. “We’ve demanded H&M that they must come and sit with us. The retailer issued a statement apologising for the poorly judged product and image.ĮFF Cape Metro regional cluster head Banzi Dambuza says he’s expecting to discuss transformation related issues during Wednesday's meeting. #EFF #H&M A group of EFF supporters earlier protested at the V&A Waterfront’s H&M store against an ad using a black child to model a hoodie with the slogan “coolest monkey in the jungle” - KB /Pt2X6LpzVT- EWN Reporter January 13, 2018 H&M stores locally have been temporarily closed following the incident on Saturday.ĮFF supporters protesting at the V&A Waterfront have refused to accept an apology issued by the H&M group.

The ad appeared on the British version of the retailer's online store. They demonstrated against a marketing campaign featuring a black boy modelling a hoodie with the slogan “coolest monkey in the jungle”. CAPE TOWN - Provincial Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leaders are expecting to meet with H&M store management this week to discuss issues relating to an offensive advertisement.Ī group of party supporters protested at H&M stores at the V&A Waterfront and Canal Walk on Saturday.

H and m ad controversial