Racist jewelry stocked by global fashion retailer Topshop has been withdrawn after receiving a wave of complaints.
The “yellow face” accessories, ironically produced by the Freedom Found brand, were initially spotted in one of Britain’s many Topshop stores.
A customer complained to the store manager about the product but the response was that the pieces were “vintage style and not racist,” as stated on her Twitter post.
Historically, yellow faces are associated with Hollywood films where white actors would wear yellow make up to portray Orientalist "yellow peril" characters such as Fu Manchu.
Even worse, the characters featured on the jewelry mirrored those portrayed in anti-Chinese propaganda from the 1880s, when the Chinese Exclusion Act was introduced in the United States.
In response to public outrage, the entire necklace, earring and bracelet set has been taken off the shelves globally.
Topshop added that the pieces were made by a concessionaire:
The Freedom Found collection is a concession range sold in Topshop stores by its concessionaire, DCK.
Topshop has no input in the design, creation or selection for sale of any of the products forming the Freedom Found collection.
As soon as Topshop became aware that there was sensitivity with this particular design, it instructed DCK to withdraw the product from sale, and this has been done.
The company also apologized:
Topshop is a multicultural company with trading partners all over the globe. Freedom at Topshop never intended to cause any offence and Topshop, together with DCK, sincerely apologise if this product has caused upset to anyone.
The necklace was not stocked in Topshop’s Asian branches, the company confirmed.
Topshop has 13 stores in Asia, including a large flagship store and two newly-opened pop-up shops in Hong Kong.
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