Offensive LEGO socks removed from H&M stores
An unfortunate coincidence has led to clothing retailer H&M removing a line of LEGO socks from its stores.
H&M was selling licensed LEGO socks featuring a construction worker minifigure, but a pattern on the socks resembled ‘Allah’ in Arabic. The clothing retail chain has withdrawn the socks after receiving complaints from customers.
SBS News reports the reaction from H&M:
“At H&M we always aim to offer products that we believe our customers will appreciate,” a H&M spokesperson said.
“The print on this sock represents a Lego figurine, any other meaning is entirely coincidental and we apologise if this motif has offended anyone.”
The controversy follows H&M apologising for an ad picturing a young boy in a jumper that read ‘coolest monkey in the jungle’ because of racism accusations.
The offending product line has been withdrawn from sale in reaction to the complaint.