M&S apologises for 'racist' bra colour names

The customer said the incident was an example of how entrenched racial bias is within society 
Charlie Duffield13 August 2020

Marks & Spencer has apologised after a shopper called out the high-street chain for naming its darker-coloured bras differently to its lighter-coloured bras.

Kusi Kimani was shopping in an M&S branch when she saw that lighter bras were named after sweet treats such as "fudge" or "cinnamon", whereas the dark-coloured bra was named "tobacco".

M&S has since apologised and admitted that the company has "more to do and more to learn".

The 29-year-old from East Sussex first complained to the high street store in June, and speaking to The Mirror, said: "I saw it about two weeks after George Floyd’s death and it was particularly raw to see at that time.

Ms Kimani complained about the bra for her skin tone carrying negative connotations, while more positive words were used for lighter colours (Marks and Spencers )
Marks and Spencers

“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.

"Each week that website is showing that racism is another week a young girl may come across it and feel bad for the rest of her life.

"To see that 'tobacco' is for their skin tone will make them feel unwanted by society. Tobacco is referred to in society as bad, unhealthy, and highly likely to kill - ‘smoking kills’."

The lighter coloured bras are given names such as "cinnamon" and "fudge" (Marks and Spencers )
Marks and Spencers

Ms Kimani said the incident was an example of how entrenched racial bias is within our society.

An email from M&S to Ms Kimani on June 10 said: "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.

"We review design trends in the market each year to ensure we are offering a fashionable palette to all our customers, and we are actively reviewing our naming convention in the light of the feedback we are receiving.

"We liaise with our store colleagues on a regular basis to determine which colours we need to offer our customer and we are also working with our BAME colleague network to receive their input too."

A spokesperson for M&S responded with an apology and said: "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.

“As part of this, we are reviewing our ranges, supported by our BAME network, to ensure we have lingerie items that are flattering and suitable for all customers. All of our product colour names have been taken from a design colour palette used across the industry, but we agree with Kusi.

“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.”

The website now has the popular £12 Padded Full Cup Bras on sale in three shades listed as Fudge, Deep Auburn and Cinnamon.