Old Navy has fallen under fire after the release of a toddler shirt which seems to discourage children from becoming artists, taking the phrase “Young Aspiring Artist”, crossing out the word artist, and replacing it with words like “Astronaut” or “President”. The shirt’s release has since started an uproar, with many people claiming that the shirt features anti-artist propaganda.
Some artists and consumers have even taken to Twitter and Facebook to voice their opinions. While some simply stated their outrage…
Pretty disappointed in @OldNavy for this shirt that basically bashes the idea that being an artist is worthwhile. pic.twitter.com/ERSXFcN2XC
— Alex Plaxen (@APlaxen) December 29, 2015
Have you seen this? @OldNavy is clearly ignorant to the value of young #artists in our world. You lost me #oldnavypic.twitter.com/UurtL1CkYP
— Dance Judge (@DanceJudgeProbs) December 29, 2015
Others have taken it upon themselves to prove just why you never want to piss off “those creative types”.
Fixed it for ya, @OldNavy #OldNavy #Artist #Creatives #Designers #Musicians pic.twitter.com/yQtA5QXyYx
— Steve Ogden (@SteveOgdenArt) December 30, 2015
In fact, in response to the offensive shirt, illustrator Blair J. Campbell has designed a shirt which turns Old Navy’s message on its head, favoring Artists over “Old Navy Employees”.
It’s here! My #OldNavy protest tee is now up @teefury! Proceeds will be donated to @Art4LA. https://t.co/ZpoS8PzS0X pic.twitter.com/1s6rmOkuaZ
— Blair J. Campbell (@BlairJCampbell) December 31, 2015
Campbell is selling the protest tee through Tee Fury and all proceeds benefit Arts for LA, a Los Angeles-based organization which works to maintain arts programs in local school districts and neighborhoods.
Following the uproar, Old Navy has discontinued the offending toddler tee due to the clearly negative customer feedback. In addition, the company extended a public apology, stating that they would “never intentionally offend anyone, and [they] are sorry if that has been the case.” The retailer has already removed the product from its online catalog and is in the process of pulling it from stores.
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