Nicola puts the boot in on firm’s ‘sexist’ kid shoes
Sturgeon steps in over Clarks footwear row
FOOTWEAR firm Clarks have sparked a sexism row after naming a girls’ shoe range Dolly Babe and a boys’ line Leader.
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was among those to criticise the company, who have apologised for any offence caused.
The Dolly Babe range, featuring a heart print detail, has been withdrawn from the website and the firm said they are removing the name from in-store products.
The Leader footwear, which carries a football image, remains on sale online in the boys’ school shoes section.
SNP leader Sturgeon tweeted: “It is almost beyond belief that in 2017 a major company could think this is in any way acceptable. Shows what we are still up against.”
Laura Waddell, a publishing manager at HarperCollins, wrote: “Clarks have named range of girls’ school shoes Dolly Babe while the boys’ equivalent is called Leader. Out of touch, sexist and insulting.”
Replying to Sturgeon, a Twitter user by the name of
Tod said: “My daughter went though all phases from dolly babe to goth. It’s called choice and made no difference to her self esteem/ worth.”
Clarks released a statement saying the Dolly Babe range is “an old and discontinued line, with only remaining stock being sold through our stores”.
They said they had removed the shoe from sale online “following customer feedback regarding the name”.
It added: “We are working hard to ensure our ranges reflect our gender neutral ethos and we apologise for any unintended offence caused.”