Early last week the online UK clothing retailer, ASOS, released a new accessory that shoppers deemed "sickening," and "unacceptable."
The accessory they released is a belt-necklace. Online, people are saying this necklace, along with the photo advertisement, glorifies suicide.
In the photo, the model is seen wearing the necklace, while looking away with her eyes closed. The model is also wearing a t-shirt that says "Hanger" on it.
"So disgusted with @ASOS - it seems that in at a time when death by suicide is becoming more common they attempt to make suicide fashionable. The pose, the belt, the branding on the tee - sickening #MentalHealthAwareness #mentalhealth #MentalHealthMatters," said a Twitter user.
While most people are angry about this necklace, others are standing up for the brand.
Because the brand of the necklace is HANGER, some users are saying it has no correlation with the product being seen as promoting suicide. "Look at the brand, it has no links with suicide or anything of the sort. It's a choker," one user said. Another felt it was "ridiculous that people are actually offended" by the design.
Due to the controversy surrounding the product, the retailer removed the $78 "Latex Flamer Choker" from the website on January 17th.
In the era of recognizing mental health, Twitter users are taking a stand against this product and what they believe it represents, even after it has been removed.
So what do you think? Did the internet misinterpret this harmless design? Or were they right in their judgement that this product not only crossed the line, but went far past it?