12 April 2013
BEIRUT: A controversial tank top from Bershka has been blocked from entering the country after calls to boycott the Spanish clothing chain erupted over social media earlier this week.
Azadea Group, which exclusively operates Bershka stores in Lebanon and other countries in the region, issued a formal response Thursday to anger over a graphic that some believed insulted the Virgin Mary.
In its statement, Azadea reiterated its respect for all religions and said that the tank top had not nor would it enter the country.
Azadea Group categorically reassures that the said shirt did not enter the Lebanese territory and as such was not sold in Bershka shops in Lebanon, said the statement sent to The Daily Star and other media outlets who reported the controversy.
The umbrella company also said it respects all religions without any exception; and that it is keen to respect all religious rituals, signs and symbols. Moreover, the company does not display or sell any products/clothings that could offend any religion.
The controversy centered on a graphic of Santa Muerte, which was confused with a morbid depiction of the Virgin Mary by many who saw it. Calls for boycotting the chain went viral over Twitter and Facebook. In response, several bloggers identified the image as the Mexican saint of death and tried to quell misconceptions about the shirt. Azadeas response did not address the graphic in question directly.
The tank-top graphic depicts Santa Muerte with her hands clasped in prayer, surrounded by flowers and images of peace, and shrouded in a robe similar to the one Mary is typically shown wearing. Lady of Skulls is written below the graphic.
Santa Muerte is venerated in Mexican Catholicism and is usually depicted as a womans skeleton surrounded by typical Christian symbols. The saints roots in Mesoamerican tribal religions was likely the reason for its inclusion in a summer collection based on a tribal theme popular across brands this coming season, according to blogger Abir Ghattas.
Comments on Twitter and Facebook were unclear as to whether anyone actually saw the shirt in one of the national outlets.
On a trip Tuesday to Bershka in Beirut Souks, staff members said they had never seen the tank top in their store and were unaware of any controversy. The only images of the shirt circulating social media were those taken from Bershkas international website.
Azadea does not control the Bershka website, even its Lebanon-specific page, and said it could not control the presence of the image on the international site: The Internet page where the said shirt was displayed is neither owned nor managed by Azadea Group.
Copyright The Daily Star 2013.
