Bloomingdale’s has apologized for an advertisement in its recent holiday catalog that appears to make light of date rape.
“Spike your best friend’s eggnog when they’re not looking,” reads the ad copy, which surfaced on Imgur this week. The text appears between a sharply dressed man looking at a woman, who is laughing and appears not to notice him.
The implications of the ad drew outrage from people online, prompting the department store chain to apologize.
“In reflection of recent feedback, the copy we used in our recent catalog was inappropriate and in poor taste. Bloomingdale’s sincerely apologizes for this error in judgment,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
Many people were baffled the line ever made it to publication, and questioned the editorial process and decision.
How many people were involved in developing and approving the #Bloomingdales ad? https://t.co/AEfquZ12kU
— David Robson (@DrRobson) November 11, 2015
Can we just all take a moment to imagine the concept meeting for #Bloomingdales catalogue ad? How did we get from selling clothes to that..?
— Emma Martin (@emma_l_martin) November 11, 2015
Fascinated that throughout the editing process, nobody suggested this Christmas ad is a bad idea #Bloomingdales pic.twitter.com/zUaNJnlK7y
— Lara DiamondPhillips (@Laradp) November 11, 2015
Others noted the ad’s creepy implications, offering simpler suggestions.
Here's Bloomingdales advertising festive date rape and non-consensual drug abuse to sell fashion. Stay classy. pic.twitter.com/7KiPxmyB02
— Jack Monroe (@DrJackMonroe) November 11, 2015
Bloomingdale’s also issued a public apology via its Twitter account.
“We heard your feedback about our catalog copy, which was inappropriate and in poor taste. Bloomingdale’s sincerely apologizes,” the department store tweeted.
We heard your feedback about our catalog copy, which was inappropriate and in poor taste. Bloomingdale's sincerely apologizes.
— Bloomingdale's (@Bloomingdales) November 10, 2015
