Plus-Size Retailer Lane Bryant's Twitter Q&A Went Downhill Fast
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Lane Bryant considers itself "the most recognized name in plus-size clothing" and says its clothing isn't just about size, it's about the fashion and how it fits, according to its website.
The fashion retailer has more than a dozen stores in the Greater Philadelphia area and it's been around for decades.
So when Brian Beitler, its Chief Marketing Officer, along with Refinery 29 held a live Twitter Q & A, they were probably expecting softball questions about the new Spring collection and its #ImNoAngel campaign which, seemingly, takes a jab at Victoria's Secret and her Angels.
Instead, some angry users demanded to know why their campaigns show women with the same body type, and why no size 22+ women are in their ads or working in the stores.
Some went a bit further and said the retailer barely pushes past the envelope of plus-size, by not featuring enough "real" women with curves.
Here's a sampling:
Why do you hire thin women to work in yr stores and then apparently encourage them to tell me about how "slimming" stuff is? #AskLaneBryant
— a medium, but for alive people (@femmina) December 8, 2015
Can you stop pretending you cater to fat women when you shove Spanx down our throats? #asklanebryant
— Pynk Panther (@SourceDuMal) December 8, 2015
If "Plus is Equal" then why are you unable to find models that don't all look the same? #AskLaneBryant pic.twitter.com/UKzDtXP5sw
— Amanda Levitt (@FatBodyPolitics) December 8, 2015
For its part, Lane Bryant acknowledged the big discrepancy between the company's marketing and its target audience, and vowed to do better.
2) We are learning just how broad we need to be in our own inclusion in body diversity from our customers and our fans.
— Lane Bryant (@lanebryant) December 8, 2015
Both Lane Bryant and Refinery29 said they'll answer more questions in a follow-up piece.
cbsphilly.com has reached out to Lane Bryant for further comment.