Stock surge for American Eagle following Trump's commendation
American Eagle Outfitters has found itself in the midst of a heated debate over race and representation following the launch of their latest jeans campaign. The campaign, which features actress Sydney Sweeney, has been criticised for its perceived insensitivity towards racial issues.
The controversy began when internet users noticed that a Black model in the campaign was edited to appear with unnaturally darker skin. This alteration has led to accusations that the brand is engaging in racist editing practices or "colorism." Critics argue that this alteration is demeaning and perpetuates harmful stereotypes or biases about darker skin tones.
The campaign's slogan, "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans," has also been criticised for its similarity to "Sydney Sweeney has great genes" when spoken. This naive wordplay has been deemed inappropriate, especially in the context of the controversy surrounding the campaign.
American Eagle has denied the allegations of racism and insensitivity, stating that the campaign is about celebrating how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence in their own way. However, the brand has yet to address the issue of the edited model's appearance.
The controversy has not gone unnoticed, with media outlets such as ntv.de, gut/rts/dpa, and spot covering the story. Despite the backlash, the campaign has been financially successful for American Eagle, with their shares rising by more than four percent last week. This increase is attributed to Sweeney's popularity as a Hollywood "it girl" and the enormous viral attention the campaign has generated.
Steven Cheung, the communications director of the White House, has weighed in on the controversy, labelling it as an example of "cancel culture" and "twisted" liberal thinking. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has expressed his support for the campaign, stating that it is "fantastic" if Sweeney is a registered Republican voter.
The controversy surrounding the campaign has not affected the overall perception of American Eagle's brand, as the company continues to operate and sell its products. However, it has sparked a larger conversation about the importance of authentic and respectful representation in fashion advertising, with many calling for brands to be more mindful of the messages they send and the images they present.
- The Commission, in response to the ongoing debate about representation in various sectors, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation in the fashion industry, specifically addressing the issue of editing models' appearances.
- The financial success of the American Eagle Outfitters campaign, despite the controversy surrounding the edited model's skin tone, has led some critics to question the priorities of the business world and its disregard for social issues in pursuit of profit in entertainment and politics.
- The General News section of a local newspaper posted an article discussing the backlash faced by American Eagle Outfitters, highlighting the need for greater transparency and accountability in the fashion industry when it comes to issues of race and representation, particularly in light of the recent developments in politics and entertainment.
