Clothing brand Slammed for Creating Separate Instagram Page For Plus-size and Ethnic Minority Women

A British online fashion brand has found itself the focus of internet user’s wrath after creating a separate social media account for plus-size and ethnic minority women; a move that has been viewed as  ‘segregative’

The Glasgow-based Oh Polly brand created the account ‘Oh Poly iNclusive’ which featured plus-sized customers and influencers as well as women from diverse ethnic minority has since faced sharp criticism from Internet users.

On realizing their mistake, the brand was quick to deactivate the account and wrote an apology for customers who voiced their disapproval.

You Tuber Alissa Ashley was among the first to blow the whistle calling it ‘segregation’.

‘What makes these women not suitable for your main page @ohpolly? Ohpollyinclusive?? Who approved this?’ she wrote on Twitter.

‘Like imagine calling yourselves inclusive and not wanting to post women that don’t fit your ‘aesthetic’ on your brand page lmao,’ she added. ‘If you wanted to be ‘inclusive’ wouldn’t you put these beautiful women on your main page? Just a question,’ said another critic. ‘This is soo bizarre!! @ohpolly @ohpollyhelp you could have just done without the page?,’ added someone else.

‘If you truly wanted to be inclusive you would feature them on your main page?? It’s disgusting. People are so focused on appearing to be inclusive that they miss the point,’ they continued.

Users also pointed out the brand’s confusing messaging. One user wasn’t okay with the slogan used on the ‘inclusive page’ that read ‘Zero % Tolerance, 100% inclusive.’

‘The phrase “zero percent tolerance” literally means “we are not tolerant” which seems like the opposite of being inclusive?? What were they even trying to say?? I’m very confused???? Lmao’.

The brand is now on a mission to regain its public image. A spokesperson for Oh Polly talked of the brand’s newest efforts to keep touch with their customers.

‘We established a new page with the specific aim of allowing our customers to discuss a wider range of issues. ‘Improving diversity remains an absolute priority for us across all of our channels. ‘We promise to continue listening to everyone in the Oh Polly community and, most importantly, learn from this mistake.’