Online retailer ASOS has been criticised for selling a set of socks with so-called “roadman” designs on them.
The term is used as slang for people affiliated with street gangs in London. After the socks appeared for sale on the ASOS website they sparked immediate criticism.
Actor and fitness studio founder Kelechi Okafor branded the fashion giant “disgusting” for the three-pack of socks, which each have different slogans – “mandem”, “jokes” and “don’t look so shook" printed on them.
She said the socks were “glamorising the black working class.”
She also branded the socks “ridiculous and offensive."
Ms Okafor, who founded Kelechnekoff Fitness Studio in Peckham, south east London, also said that the website didn't "have the range or the understanding" of the black community to borrow from them.
The retailer's 'Here to Help' Twitter account initially replied with a generic response about Ms Okafor's email address and order number, but it was quickly deleted.
Other social media users also blasted ASOS for the design, accusing the socks of being "blatantly designed ironically to ridicule black people."
I can't believe they put 'man dem' on a pair of socks.
— Curlture (@curltureuk)December 11, 2018
An ASOS spokesman said: “We are very sorry this product caused offence.
"We removed it from our site as soon as it was brought to our attention and will work with our team to address the naming issue.”
