Strollerderby

Turns Out Kids' Lingerie NOT Just April Fools' Joke

Posted by Amy S.F. Lutz

How weird is this?  In his April Fools' Day post, "Adult Clothing Maker Introduces Lingerie For Kids," Cole Gamble introduced "Amore Designs," who was allegedly promoting a line of "nauhgty sleepwear" (his spelling error, not mine; come on, Cole, a little proof-reading wouldn't kill you!) for little girls.

Readers who made the jump were chastised, "What, you really clicked on this post?  Of course there is no such thing as baby lingerie.  April Fool's, you weirdo." 

But, it turns out, the joke's on Cole.  And on all of us who thought there was a limit as to how low some slimeballs will stoop to earn a buck.

Introducing La Senza, a lingerie chain from the UK, who recently introduced "La Senza Girl," a line of adult-style lingerie for girls 5-12.

The slogan, and I kid you not:  "Why should grown-ups have all the fun?"

Shockingly, critics from politicians to children's charities lined up to lambast La Senza for sexualizing children.

In response, La Senza removed the line from its website, but will continue to sell the items in its stores.  Marketing Director Lisa Bond maintained that the line was "entirely age-appropriate" - including, I suppose, the lacy camisoles.

So, here's the challenge for next year, Cole - try to think of something so depraved it won't actually materialize a week after you make it up. 


+ DIGG + STUMBLE

Comments

 

Jasmin said:

La Senza Girl has been here in Canada for quite some time now, it's pretty disgusting.

April 6, 2008 12:03 PM
 

Lady Sappho said:

Have you seen the pictures accompanying the news stories regarding this "lingerie"?  I've seen a picture of a little girl in a yellow and red singlet (which is long enough to cover all of her visible torso) and a pair of knickers which look like, well, little girls' panties.  They're not "adult", they're not "sexualised", and they're not inappropriate for a 5 year old.  You'd think, if there really was anything inappropriate, someone might have found a picture.  Without one, all that we've really got is a bunch of people complaining but not really letting us in on the secret.  Given how some people insist on jumping at shadows, I wouldn't be at all surprised if no-one has actually seen anything offensive they've just assumed it based on "why should grown ups have all the fun" (which is only dirty if one wants to make it so) and the idea of lace on a 5 year old (not that lace is pictured).  In fact, and I find this even more disturbing as an idea, I suspect that the outcry is based not on the actual items of clothing but on the clothes the brand sells to adults.

"There is no doubt La Senza's brand is based on adult lingerie and is not for children." - Claude Knights, Kidscape

Still, we'll all get a chance to make up our own minds, I guess, when manufacturer launches their new website.

'The brand will launch a separate La Senza Girl website in the summer.'

This decision, apparently, has been lauded.  Maybe the real fear is that little girls might see adult lingerie not that they'll be wearing it themselves.  *sigh*

Sappho

www.thisislondon.co.uk/.../article.do

April 6, 2008 8:56 PM
 

Kandee said:

La Senza is from Canada, originally founded in Montreal.  They have had La Senza girl for a few years in Canada targeting tweens.

April 7, 2008 11:41 AM
 

Don Mills Diva said:

Of course readers clicked on the link - it's not really shocking the shit they try and sell for kids. Disturbing but sadly, not shocking...

April 7, 2008 12:12 PM

About Amy S.F. Lutz

Amy S.F. Lutz's work has appeared in dozens of literary journals, including Cream City Review, The American Poetry Review, Puerto del Sol, and Mid-American Review. She and her husband have five children. Amy and her sister chronicle their adventures in communal living in their blog whoelsewantstoliveinmyhouse.com

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