The Anti-UAE t-shirt

Who knows what Harvey Nicks were trying to achieve with this t-shirt. You can see it quite clearly. Bulldog on the UAE flag. If that isn't offensive, then what is?


For Emiratis, dog's are considered impure. For the Brits, the bulldog is a symbol of strength, bravery and loyalty. Stamping on one's national flag, in any culture is a symbol of disrespect.

Believe whatever rumour you wish to, but Harvery Nicks Dubai are a little worried right now, from a slap on the wrist of 2000dhs, or loss of license. I certainly doubt it will be the latter, but their statement doesn't seem to be the right kind of apology:

"Harvey Nichols said a wrong delivery of eight items was received by the outlet from the supplier and were mistakenly placed on the shelf. The statement blamed the supplier adding that the supplier has confirmed that the shipment to Harvey Nichols Dubai was not as per the specifications and regretted the mistake that led to the wrong design."

Was the t-shirt commissioned, as is - but not supposed to reach the Dubai Harvey Nicks? - that sounds pretty bad anyway. This one will probably fizzle out, but based on the amount of emails I have received today, it may not!

This may be a case of simple cultural insensitivity, but when you operate in the Middle East and you have multiple opportunities to prevent a t-shirt of a bulldog stamping on an Arab flag from getting to the shelves of one of your stores, there is something seriously wrong.

Storm over Harvey Nichols T-shirts
Boycott Harvey Nichols Dubai..
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