M&S in race row over its ‘tobacco’ lingerie
‘We’re sorry for not moving faster’
MARKS and Spencer has been accused of ‘covert racism’ – after marketing a brown bra as ‘tobacco’ coloured.
Kusi Kimani, 29, was horrified when she saw the item on the shop’s website.
Lighter colours of the chain’s £12 collection bras were described as ‘cinnamon’ and ‘fudge’.
The retailer has now reportedly apologised for its labelling of the underwear.
Miss Kimani, of East Sussex, said that the word tobacco was seen as negative due to smoking’s health impact, whereas the other descriptions were more positive.
After seeing the item, she complained to M&S, who promised to take it down – but only did so two months later. She told Mirror Online: ‘I saw it about two weeks after George Floyd’s death and it was particularly raw to see at that time.
‘Why not call it cocoa, caramel or chocolate – sweet dessert items? But they used tobacco. I was shocked when I saw it. It’s hurtful to me and my friends. If a young girl who is already uncomfortable with the colour of her skin (sees it) she will be feeling even more alienated.’
The pharmaceutical trials manager added: ‘This is an example of how bias is ingrained into society and only helps fuel racism, be it overt or covert, however in this instance this is a form of covert racism.’
M&S said back in June that it is looking into how it names it products with input from staff from ethnic minority backgrounds.
An email read: ‘ The names we use are taken from those on a colour palette and were never designed to match to a skin tone – I would like to assure you the choice of names is absolutely not intended to carry any negative connotations.’
A Marks & Spencer spokesman told the Mirror: ‘In June we shared our commitments to being a truly inclusive place to shop and work and were honest that we have more to do and more to learn. We are changing the name of the bra colour and are writing to Kusi to confirm that, and let her know that we’re sorry for not moving faster.’