A provocative new range of T-shirts has caused controversy by urging people to get over the death of Princess Diana and warning that police are targeting fat chicks.
Melbourne, April 15 : A provocative new range of T-shirts has caused controversy by urging people to 'get over' the death of Princess Diana and warning that police are 'targeting fat chicks'.
The T-shirts, designed by Sydney-based businessmen Peter Legras and Adam Hunt, have been on sale for just a week but they have already caused a stir and are being described as 'rude and revolting' by critics.
However, the range, which is available through the website goatboy.com.au, has got a different feedback online, with the site being featured by a number of international bloggers.
Hunt, a former advertising executive, said that the T-shirts, bearing 14 different designs or logos, are being sold for 49 dollars and 59 dollars.
The nature of the slogans is addressed in a disclaimer on the site, which reads: "If anyone gets offended by our designs, we'd like to humbly point out that you're wasting your righteous indignation on a bloody T-shirt, when you should save it for something that actually matters."
However, Eva Cox from the Women's Electoral Lobby said that the content on the T-shirts spoke for itself.
"They're tasteless, crappy, crass and stupid and if people want to be seen as tasteless, crappy, crass and stupid, they'll wear the shirts," The Daily Telegraph quoted her, as saying.
"It's vulgar and nasty and encourages people to be rude and revolting. Who the hell wants to wear T-shirts like that," she added.
Monarchist Professor David Flint also criticized the Diana T-shirt, which has been superimposed on to the bodies of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip in advertising on the site.
"It's a pity we breach society's standards just to get a sale. It's not right to be cruel to people who obviously can't defend themselves," he said.
Jane Roberts, Young Media Australia president, said that the website's decision to get on the front foot with a disclaimer was 'clever but questionable'.
"They're getting a bit righteous themselves by telling others to look at the big picture. They're putting messages out there that are deliberately provocative and intended to shock, to make a buck," she said.
However, Hunt said he and Legras had plans to expand into kids' clothing, adding that not all T-shirts were intended to create controversy.
"I'm trying to think of a papal one for World Youth Day. That's a pretty scary thing," he said.
ANI