Popular Aussie retailer Bye Bambi under fire for selling ‘tone deaf’ $90 T-shirt that says ‘Help me I’m poor’
The fashion label has been forced to pull the controversial garment from sale and issued an apology after copping backlash online.
An Aussie retailer has apologised after sparking controversy over its recent range of slogan T-shirts, with people online accusing the company of being ‘completely tone deaf’.
Bye Bambi, a Melbourne based ‘slow fashion’ retailer, triggered widespread debate this week after launching a variety of $90 fitted tees featuring different printed slogans, including ‘Billionaire B****’ and ‘Need $ for NYC’.
One of the garments that’s garnered the most heat on social media is the brand’s orange top that has ‘Help me I’m poor’ splashed in bold capital letters across the chest.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Customers immediately questioned the garment’s price tag, the message and also the choice of model.
One passionate Tik Tok user slammed the company’s design for seemingly mocking those in financial hardship through an item of clothing that would set back customers nearly three figures.
“Did you design that and think it was a good idea? Did you pay someone to design that and think that [looks good]?” the young Aussie ranted.
“There are people that don’t have homes, they can’t eat, they’re freezing outside on the streets of Melbourne and just Australia in general, and you think this shirt [looks good]?” she doubled down.
“This has got to be some sick joke — Help me I’m poor — like are we serious?” another angered user asked in a rage-filled Tik Tok rant against the retailer.
She continued: “This isn’t cool or edgy. Someone who is actually poor is not spending $90 on a T-shirt, let alone having it blasted on themselves.”
“The irony that someone who is actually poor has most likely made this in a sweatshop in China where they’re not being paid a living wage.”
Opinions remain divided online, with some people agreeing the brand should not have produced the tee in the first place, while others argue they can’t see a problem with the design.
“So insanely tone deaf. Reference or not, read the room” one person commented, with another adding: “Unfortunately along the way of trying to push ‘cool girl’ fashion, brands have become very tone deaf.”
“It’s actually a f****** joke, WHO IS WEARING THAT,” a third commented.
Others argued: “Guys it’s funny why are you so mad about it” and “This generation is too soft.”
As reported by News.com, Bye Bambi confirmed they had pulled the item in a post on their Instagram page on Tuesday, stating: “We hear where you’re coming from. We understand that without that context [the slogan] landed very differently and missed the mark, and we’re sorry.
“We removed the tee from sale earlier this morning and have been archiving our own content featuring it, as we don’t want to continue promoting a product we’ve withdrawn or messaging that has caused offence.
“We really appreciate you taking the time to call it out.”
PerthNow has reached out to Bye Bambi for further comment.
Originally published on PerthNow
