mommy and mami ([info]blasfemmey) wrote in [info]fatshionista,
2008-04-17 15:13:00
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Torrid: Problematic Marketing?

 http://www.torrid.com/torrid/store/nodePage.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302034403&bmUID=1208470236779&SELECTION<>theme=Default

I am feeling conflicted about Torrid having a "Cinco De Mayo" section. I have to think about this, but I just wanted to make note of it. I mean, there are SO many reasons why it is problematic. First off: Cinco De Mayo is NOT Mexican independence Day. Jesus Christ.


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  • 156 comments

[info]heartovmidnight

April 17 2008, 22:21:30 UTC 4 years ago

I don't get it. Where does it say Mexican independence day?

[info]heysmilepretty

April 17 2008, 22:22:01 UTC 4 years ago

I'm confused. Does it say anywhere on that page that Cinco De Mayo IS Mexican independence day? I'm missing something.

[info]blasfemmey

April 17 2008, 22:24:38 UTC 4 years ago

Cinco De Mayo

I posted prematurely, and omitted that I called and asked what they meant by Cinco De Mayo. "In celebration and honor of Cinco De Mayo, you know, Mexican Independence Day". This was the Customer Service line. Not an official marketing person, though. Nonetheless, if I am to go with that most people are in the know, now, that Cinco De Mayo is actually not Mexican Independence Day, and is more about a celebration of heritage, why is there a line of clothes for this?

[info]heysmilepretty

4 years ago

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[info]blasfemmey

4 years ago

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[info]heysmilepretty

4 years ago

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[info]heysmilepretty

4 years ago

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[info]semiauto

4 years ago

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[info]modysoul

4 years ago

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[info]blasfemmey

4 years ago

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[info]underzenith17

4 years ago

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[info]wifeofset

4 years ago

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[info]leiamanda

April 17 2008, 22:22:50 UTC 4 years ago

To the average American, cinco de mayo is a day to drink margaritas.

[info]blasfemmey

April 17 2008, 22:26:30 UTC 4 years ago

Yes, that, too. Scary.

I was just talking to my friend about it and he said he blames Cheny's. But like wtf....It makes me think of a play party that recently happened here in the Bay Area, with a Mardi Gras/New Orleans theme where people were encouraged to dress in costume. The examples given were : Choctaw, Creole and Antebellum (I hope I spelled that right).

[info]strangelet

4 years ago

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[info]heysmilepretty

4 years ago

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[info]onceupon

4 years ago

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[info]blasfemmey

4 years ago

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[info]strangelet

April 17 2008, 22:30:37 UTC 4 years ago

I think they are just marketing to the closest "holiday" which actually has something of a theme in attire. They did the same thing for St. Patty's and Easter, they did it last year for the Fourth as well. I wouldn't be shocked if they market something for Bastille Day as well. It's just a way of pushing sales around a low period by catering to a holiday/day some people celebrate in whatever way they can.

I don't think there's anything else behind it.

[info]heysmilepretty

April 17 2008, 22:32:48 UTC 4 years ago

As someone of Irish descent, though, I was personally offended by their St. Patty's Day line.

[info]vamcdonnell

4 years ago

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[info]heysmilepretty

4 years ago

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[info]strangelet

4 years ago

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[info]billies_blues

4 years ago

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[info]dreamalynn

4 years ago

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[info]strangelet

4 years ago

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[info]heysmilepretty

4 years ago

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[info]strangelet

4 years ago

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[info]heysmilepretty

4 years ago

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[info]strangelet

4 years ago

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[info]scratch_bc

4 years ago

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[info]heysmilepretty

4 years ago

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[info]scratch_bc

4 years ago

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[info]onceupon

4 years ago

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[info]strangelet

4 years ago

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[info]iftherainstops

4 years ago

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[info]modysoul

April 17 2008, 22:38:27 UTC 4 years ago

What "offends" me about it is the fact that I don't see the relation to ANY of this clothing to Cinco de Mayo (yeah Battle of Puebla!) or even MEXICO at all, aside from the fact that there are some reds and greens and some peasant blouses.

I mean... denim capris? cha-cha wedges? a blue tube top?

[info]diseased_inside

April 17 2008, 22:46:18 UTC 4 years ago

That's what I was thinking when I was looking at the line.

[info]enchanted_black

4 years ago

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[info]sayitpretty

April 17 2008, 22:46:21 UTC 4 years ago

the only offensive thing is they think we would want to wear those hideous capris..

[info]catpowerurfree

April 17 2008, 22:51:06 UTC 4 years ago

THANK YOU!

[info]llucifera

April 17 2008, 22:46:48 UTC 4 years ago

It's just product suggestions for any Cinco de Mayo parties you may be going to. I don't think there's anything insulting at all... Infact, I think they've done this for other social "You're bound to be going out with friends" type days...

[info]enchanted_black

April 17 2008, 22:56:13 UTC 4 years ago

I understand where you're coming from. When you really look at it, the marketing can come off as offensive. Because it's comes across as misinterpretation of something that is important to Mexicans and not just some "drinking holiday".

[info]haggardtrish

April 18 2008, 03:20:04 UTC 4 years ago

Actually I think Cinco De Mayo is one of those holidays that is celebrated more in the states than it is in Mexico...

[info]roseofdarkness

4 years ago

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[info]kidhasgotsass

April 17 2008, 22:56:45 UTC 4 years ago

I agree that the line is kind of questionable. I don't think it was designed to be intentionally offensive or anything, but as with most other holidays it's an appropriation of a holiday the marketing people behind it probably have no understanding of meaning behind. I mean they're still selling underwear with holly leaves on it, and fancy Christmas negligee.

I think this one bothers me a little more than most just because of how ridiculously transparent of a marketing scheme it is. It's the same stuff they'd sell any other day during the spring and summer. Except add a new menu choice on the sidebar and suddenly it's CINCO DE MAYO!

Anyway, Torrid blows, as does American consumer and marketing culture.

[info]enchanted_black

April 17 2008, 23:00:43 UTC 4 years ago

Don't blame America...blame the big wigs in the marketing departments and the retail outlets.

[info]mermeydele

4 years ago

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[info]enchanted_black

4 years ago

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[info]steppinrazor

4 years ago

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[info]sometimesdee

4 years ago

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[info]burnedxoutxstar

4 years ago

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[info]mermeydele

April 17 2008, 23:07:54 UTC 4 years ago

to echo what some people have said, i don't think it was intended by Torrid to be a problem; in fact, perhaps that's exactly the problem: a complete lack of understanding that this kind of cultural appropriation by a money-making company is irresponsible and problematic. whether the clothes *look* like they have a relationship with Mexican culture or not, its a marketing scheme to make money off of someone else's cultural heritage.

you have every right to be pissed; I am and I'm white. (I say this b/c I do think white people should take some responsibility for seeing their privilege and their place in fostering such cultural appropriations in a capitalistic market).

[info]elusis

April 18 2008, 02:46:33 UTC 4 years ago

Hear, hear. Well said.

[info]flyinglemurs

April 17 2008, 23:18:43 UTC 4 years ago

Hehehe, an image just popped into my head...I want to see their sale for paczki day.

Somewhat of a tangent along these lines...a few years ago I got a catalog in the mail, I think it was Roman's. They had a black off the shoulder "peasant" blouse in there, captioned proudly

"La Cucaracha blouse"

OMG...I was laughing so hard I about fell off my chair.

I was quite relieved to see the clue fairy had paid them a visit sometime before the next issue came out, and it was now re-labeled "peasant blouse".

[info]the_brass_ring

April 17 2008, 23:23:33 UTC 4 years ago

Oh man.

Cockroach blouse. That's priceless.

[info]digchicsales

4 years ago

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[info]the_brass_ring

4 years ago

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[info]flyinglemurs

4 years ago

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[info]caereala

4 years ago

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[info]steppinrazor

4 years ago

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[info]flyinglemurs

4 years ago

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[info]and_old_lace

April 17 2008, 23:19:19 UTC 4 years ago

it really saddens me that so many members of this community are like "wah wah get over it." this marketing IS stupid, stereotypical, offensive nonsense and as a political community we should think about that. ugh.

[info]bezhig81

April 17 2008, 23:47:54 UTC 4 years ago

iawtc. I think people are that way because they like the store.

[info]atwistedstring

4 years ago

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[info]mermeydele

4 years ago

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[info]idlepudding

4 years ago

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[info]sumtingsweet

4 years ago

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[info]ms_noemi

4 years ago

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[info]ahistorical

April 17 2008, 23:23:25 UTC 4 years ago

It looks like they've just pulled out a bunch of the new clothes they were offering for spring/summer anyway as suggestions for what people could wear to Cinco De Mayo parties, which a lot of people will be going to in a couple of weeks. I doubt any of this stuff was specifically made for the occasion per se, its just a way for them to try to increase sales by connecting these clothes to something people might be worrying about what they were going to wear to.

[info]onceupon

April 17 2008, 23:36:16 UTC 4 years ago

I think everyone gets that it is just trying to sell clothes. The problem is that they didn't think about what using this method to try and sell clothes might mean in a larger way.

[info]chicksupreme

April 18 2008, 01:42:46 UTC 4 years ago

A person of color has concerns about an American company exploiting a cultural celebration for retail kicks.
And a bunch of white folks tell her its no big deal/not purposeful (so get over it!).
I'm sure that made it all better. Let's all have a margarita!!!

Anyway, I'm tired of cultural appropriation being such a big gag. I rarely see POC talking about how much we need to lighten up about race issues. Ignoring racism doesn't make it disappear. I'm "sorry" if this shit is inconvienient or boring.

:P

[info]fiveorsixgirls

April 18 2008, 01:58:18 UTC 4 years ago

good post.

[info]oniko

4 years ago

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[info]radishthegreat

April 18 2008, 02:12:56 UTC 4 years ago

Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico kicking out the French, who were, you know, white people.

When retailers "exploit" Memorial Day, an American holiday that honors the men and women (mostly men) who fought and died to preserve your freedom to bitch about how awful the U.S. is, I expect you all to be offended right along with me.

[info]chicksupreme

April 18 2008, 02:31:04 UTC 4 years ago

Oh yeah, exploiting memorial day with American flags, American flag embellished t-shirts, bumper stickers, mugs, and blah blah blah?

Because the United States is just so oppressed....

And there isn't a fucken holiday to celebrate the womyn and men who really fought to give ME and MINE freedom. This isn't some daughters of the revolution bullshit.

[info]rocza

4 years ago

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[info]atwistedstring

4 years ago

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[info]rocza

4 years ago

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[info]oniko

April 18 2008, 02:20:55 UTC 4 years ago

As an extra irony, I wouldn't be surprised if some of those clothes were made IN MEXICAN FACTORIES in really horrible working conditions. So maybe that's what capris and peasant blouses have to do with Cinco de Mayo?

[info]elusis

April 18 2008, 02:53:51 UTC 4 years ago

OH SNAP.

[info]oniko

4 years ago

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[info]caereala

4 years ago

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[info]dynamine

4 years ago

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[info]dynamine

4 years ago

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[info]dynamine

4 years ago

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[info]lachupacabra

4 years ago

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[info]oniko

4 years ago

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[info]rainbowaster

April 18 2008, 02:55:17 UTC 4 years ago

I agree, I am not personally a fan of it. However, the items in the section are not part of a "cinco de mayo" line, but items from other lines that may go along the theme of a cinco de mayo party.

I HIGHLY recommend you email or call customer service and complain. The company is generally very responsive to customer complaints, so I urge everyone to email or call if you are bothered- chances are they WILL take your concerns into consideration.

also, I'm sure the customer service rep just didn't know, and it's not something that the whole company thinks!

[info]yencommakris

April 18 2008, 03:24:30 UTC 4 years ago

I'm sure the Mexicans get a kick out of it.

[info]digchicsales

April 18 2008, 13:20:54 UTC 4 years ago

not really.

[info]dynamine

4 years ago

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[info]plastic_texas

April 18 2008, 03:49:12 UTC 4 years ago

yeah i actually had to explain to my friend what 'cinco de mayo' was the other day..and i was basically like 'it's like st patricks day' ..in my mind, holidays like that dont represent anything to most people, its just another excuse for people to get drunk.

its just a marketing ploy. like..cinco de mayo, outside parties, spring? i'm sorry you're offended, i really don't see it.

[info]atwistedstring

April 18 2008, 05:41:10 UTC 4 years ago

..in my mind, holidays like that dont represent anything to most people, its just another excuse for people to get drunk.

I thought that was the whole point, that something that was once a "valid" cultural holiday, albeit a regional one, has, at this point, been reduced to an excuse to have a margarita. That commercial enterprises are banking on stereotypes and generalizations.

[info]billies_blues

April 18 2008, 04:39:35 UTC 4 years ago

I just see Cinco De Mayo on the page...and some clothes. Is it because they are using the holiday's name?

is the flowers? bright colors?

[info]etana

April 18 2008, 14:01:51 UTC 4 years ago

ZOMG STOP RUININ MAH FUNZ!!!Just 'cuz you don't wanna get drunk on Torrid's behalf don't mean you gotsa be hatin'....

[info]ladycakes

April 18 2008, 16:19:37 UTC 4 years ago

Nobody told me we were gonna be playing bingo today!

[info]elusis

April 18 2008, 18:17:37 UTC 4 years ago

[info]digchicsales

4 years ago

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[info]elusis

4 years ago

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[info]blasfemmey

April 18 2008, 18:02:53 UTC 4 years ago

Not so much. I am the Mexican who started this convo.

[info]elusis

April 18 2008, 18:18:04 UTC 4 years ago

Come on, listen to the nice person telling you what you think.

[info]happy_girlie

April 18 2008, 20:47:57 UTC 4 years ago

So, if Torrid didn't have a section for Cinco De Mayo like they did for St. Patrick's Day, would you have assumed they were excluding Mexicans because they were racist?

[info]blasfemmey

April 18 2008, 20:53:06 UTC 4 years ago

I feel like it goes without saying, but no.

[info]happy_girlie

4 years ago

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[info]elusis

4 years ago

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[info]happy_girlie

4 years ago

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[info]kidhasgotsass

April 19 2008, 02:15:44 UTC 4 years ago

Okay, maybe it's just me, but when did it become not okay to be upset about a poor marketing choice made by a clothing manufacturer? I don't recall anyone saying Torrid's line was oppressing them, but, um, trying to market a Cinco de Mayo line with "cha cha" wedges and other similarly non-relevant items and then saying it's okay because most people don't know what Cinco de Mayo is anyone is a little borked in my personal opinion.

I mean isn't that kind of the problem with retail appropriation of holidays? That it completely obscures the original idea of the holiday to the point that no one even has any idea what they're supposed to be celebrating as long as the relevant merchandise is marked down to 50% the day after it's over?

[info]sajee

April 20 2008, 00:16:48 UTC 4 years ago

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