Canada’s Tristan Style has now withdrawn the anti-Bangladesh ad and posted an apology on their public Facebook page. Below is the apology they posted and the comments on the public Facebook page. Please add your comments as well.
Tristan: We recently posted a sign in one of our stores and want to apologize for the miscommunication of our message, which was removed the minute we realized the idea behind it may have been misinterpreted by some. The true intent of our message was to promote awareness of the importance of ethical manufacturing practices, something we remain committed to. Our thoughts are with the families suffering for their losses in Bangladesh.
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Farah Ghuznavi Dear Tristan
I note that while you rush to offer your apology to consumers about the so-called miscommunication (which was in fact a cynical attempt to profit off the misery of others wrapped up in a cloak of self-righteousness), you have not yet bothered to even write directly to those of us who first wrote you letters initiating this ‘conversation’ yesterday.
The fact that clearing yourselves on social media takes priority over clarifying the alleged miscommunication with individuals who called you out on it shows very clearly exactly where your priorities lie – in getting yourselves out of this mess asap – no matter how many mealymouthed explanations you choose to provide here.
*Not* impressed!Write a reply… -
Leesa Gazi Good that you WANT to apologize as we WANT to forgive you too! -
Fahmida Nasrin Shuchi This is how you mourn ? Get some heart and brain as well -
Laura Fari OH Maybe recruit some good ad and PR staff. -
Sheikh Shahana Pervin Shila Hang a poster now saying that you appologize for your stupid marketing policy. -
Eshita Rahman You trying to promote “ethical manufacturing” is quite laughable as you don’t seem to know the first thing about ethical marketing. What an excuse! -
Monzur Ahmed I dont buy that you are saying “it may have been misinterpreted by some. The true intent of our message was to promote awareness of the importance of ethical manufacturing practices, something we remain committed to.” It was a very bad choice of word. You ostensibly wanted to profit by insulting Bangladesh and the wole world are still mourning the death of 1100 poor factory workers. You have great products as we can see your website. You really didn’t need such unthoughtful add. Unfortunately your such add lowered your brand image significantly. Thanks very much and good luck.-
Tanvir Ahmed Bravo. I’m with you.Write a reply…
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Asm Fakhrul Islam “want to apologize”, not “apologize”? “miscommunication”, not “wrongdoing”? “misinterpreted”, not “offended”? “true intent”, or “underlying intent”? Have a noble heart while apologizing at least. Nevertheless we accept the eyewash (apology) as we are not you.-
2 Replies
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Asif Ahmed Khan Your marketing strategy sucks! How can you say Misinterpreted ??? Do you think all people are dumb as hell like you!!! It was a cheap trick for making some bucks!! Awareness my arse!! If that was your intent, you would not have added any country name!! -
Sheikh Salauddin as far as I knw u just recently opened your store .. dont forget u need us as your customer . for me who earn Well enough to shop at any luxury brand here in Canada . I’ll never shop at your store and I’ll also make 10 other not shop at your store .. What a cheap marketing trick -
Sheher Imam Chowdhury You must publish your apology in daily newspapers. Else there will be a sit down protest in front of your store within a week -
Nowrin Tabassum Nothing was misinterpreted, we got your ugly marketing message… -
Samit Basu On the bright side for you guys, I’m sure every racist in Canada will want to buy your clothes. I don’t think anyone else will, but there’s a market there. -
Alexandra White It was a deplorable marketing tactic. I think Tristan needs to go the extra mile here to demonstrate remorse and understanding of the situation. What is the company prepared to do to support the garment workers of Bangladesh – or other developing countries where you perhaps source your clothes? Beyond a heinous sign, what is your company doing to promote ethical manufacturing practices? -
Shahariar Arifeen Tausif congrats! you’ve just saved your ass from a massive cyber attack, good for you. -
Shahriar Taha I’ve never seen anyone promoting awareness in such a fatally naive way. -
Sarah Bari there was no misinterpretation. As i had mentioned in my mail, this was an utterly distasteful form of marketing. You should be ashamed of yourselves for capitalising on a tragedy of this magnitude. clarification not needed ..neither accepted!! -
Saif Russell …we got your ugly marketing strategy…… -
Samiun Nabi I hope like other socially responsible brands, you can also contribute to the victims of this tragic accident and that can give you a positive business exposure you seek!! -
Fahd-uz-Zaman Chowdhury Sorry is not enough .. should have sued you for that -
Ahnaf Saber I dont see how insulting a country creates awareness. The intent of the poster was very clear to us thank you very much. Next time try marketing without looking down upon other people? -
Ishtiaque Khan Yes, you should fire your advertising agency, post an apology in the newspapers (not only facebook) and also send an official apology letter to the government of Bangladesh. -
Farah J Shoreef Hello! Now it’s time to apologize in a better way! In compensation of insulting the death of the tragic accident, don’t you think you should now help those families? Go start that! -
Muhammad Mahbub Hussain No business should be heartless. We appreciate your understanding of our feelings and the Apology in result. We believe, true Canadian Spirit will never support any activity which insults any nation or community for achieving better numbers in trade. Thank you … -
Saiful Islam I really want to know how much this company has paid for the sufferers in Bangladesh! The policy they used to increase sale was the cheapest, dirtiest, nasty, racist marketing strategy I have ever known. -
Abu Naser Muhammed Mashuk Thanks for removing the poster -
Mds Jamal Thank You -
Mahbub Alam Do not think they had removed the poster just out of love for Bangladesh?,but they have other motives.Bangladesh should take it seriously,otherwise our RMG sector will be in shambles.One of neighbouring country is furling this propaganda for their own market strategy to popularise their garments. -
Aftad Zaman Thanks for removing it, and the apology. People (and companies) make stupid mistakes, it’s good to learn from them and do better in the future. -
Sadia K How about contributing some of ur profit in helping out the victims of the tragedy. That could be considered an apology. Not just a mere status on the Facebook page. -
Jannat Snigi “awareness of the importance of ethical manufacturing “???seriously??so you are sure that each and every garments factory in Bangladesh is practicing unethically,is that what you are implying??? your “attempt” of apology makes me laugh!! -
Toufique Chowdhury Kichuy bolar nai -
Sharif Shaham What do you mean by “May have been” “Misinterpreted by some”????? You are still not sure ? We DONT accept this apology as it “May have been fake” !! Looks like you still didn’t fire your PR person. -
Mohammad Sadat Chowdhury I will never buy anything from you and tell everybody not to buy. Shame on you!!! You don’t want to pay for labor but play politics against the poor Garment Workers of Bangladesh!! Please fix yourself first and then tell others to be fixed. Anyway, thanks for the apolozy and please don’t do anymore stupid activity! After all you will live by selling products like theese and you should have respect to the worker. What you can do is keep pressure on Bangladesh Govt. to take care of the Garment sector so everybody gets the benefits- the workers, you and me. Thanks -
Selima Sara Kabir As everyone here has already pointed out on several occasions, there was no room for misinterpretation here. I believe it was a gross violation of ethical marketing when you decided to use the death of nearly 1100 factory workers as a marketing ploy. Even if you intended to promote the importance of ethical manufacturing, you did so by degrading Bangladesh and thereby trivialising the lives that were lost. Perhaps a better phrased apology, alongside responses to all of us who e-mailed, might be a better strategy.
Your sad marketing ploy has cost you possibly all your Bangladeshi clients and several others who sympathise with the situation. -
Ariful Haque Subin so i guess your plan have backfired! congrats on losing customers! -
Diavee Hossain Nothing at all was “misinterpreted”. You tried to profit of a tragic event, and that’s all there is to it. -
Farhana Mahamud You think its gonna help your brand??? How could give such a message? You didnt even think how disrespectful it can be for a nation. What happen to our country was just an accident & you are using that for advertisement of your brand…shame on you -
M Mashfiq Huq If thats what you meant then thats what you should have written. -
রাহাত খান Now think if we boycott to buy your brand, how much that will hurt you guyz.. -
Mishal Ali Disgusting marketing ploy. I think I will have your gimmick features on papers all over Bangladesh. -
Kazi Sayeed Thanks for removing you bigoted dogmatic poster. But that’s your condolence for deliberately trying to impairing the wound of thousands of victims and their family members of the worst industrial disaster in the history of the country? How xenophobic can you people be! You should bend down low and render your apologies….if you want to stay in business! -
Ahmed Abu Insaf With that thought .. have u planned to extend your help to those families suffering from losses ? … or only to make more sale – insulting their blood … -
Tanveer Rahman Sajeeb please learn some ethical strategy for marketing, promotion and public relation work then apply it for business purpose. your apology statement is ambiguous and really does not make any sense. the next step should be make a same banner regarding confession for previously showed provocative message about Bangladesh Savar tragedy. Pathetic to watch this type juxtaposition of mourning and apparent profit earning message. -
Badru Ahmed Funny the Tristan company can apologize in perfect English and yet being a Canadian Company cannot advertise in “proper English”?! Really?! It is almost laughable! But somehow I dont feel so merry! -
Mohammad Sadat Chowdhury Hang a poster now saying that you appologize for your stupid marketing policy
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Nuzhat Rifa Dear Tristan: u realised the importance of ethical manufacturing and ur offer of apology to Bangladesh lately. -
Rubel Kanti Mohajan Ranju Dear Tristan, You must hang a sign on your store by apologizing to the country man of Bangladesh as you have hurt badly their feelings! This is not the ‘ethical manufacturing’ This is unethical marketing. You will face a very bad time my dear Tristan If you don’t hang a sign on your store too. -
Anwarul Hawk Shame !! -
Rashed Khan Well, good for you! better hire some real marketing agents now, who can express the ”idea’ or ”intent” truly. You must understand, you made shhitt out of that ad. For one, I’ll never buy anything from you guys, i promised myself that! -
Mahmudul Karim Rubel Thank you….. We appreciated….
Contact Tristan Style on Facebook to complain about racist anti-Bangladesh ad
sarah.service@tristanstyle.com
information@tristanstyle.com
“About —Tristan, a Love Story at Heart: Tristan`s story began in the 1970s, when Gilles Fortin and Denise Deslauriers met and embarked on a wonderful journey by founding what would become a major Canadian fashion company, making them retailer and manufacturer. A love affair with fashion that was sparked nearly 40 years ago! First known as Tristan & AMERICA, the brand name was shortened to Tristan as the fledgling company continued to offer stylish, high-quality garments for both men and women. Today, Tristan pour Elle and Tristan pour Lui are appreciated by individuals seeking a distinctive image and affordable luxury. The Tristan brand is known for its ready-to-wear clothing, quality fabrics and impeccable cut. The perfect balance between accessible and sophisticated fashion, the collections take a modern and refreshing approach.”
আলাল ও দুলাল | ALAL O DULAL 
This is utter meanness. How can they display such poster? It’s disgusting. Yes we had biggest tragedy. It could be prevented but our poor, hardworking group are good workers and their lives depend on these hard works. We have more than thousand garment factories but all of them are not collapsing. These poor people need jobs and if this propaganda continues then only poor will be sufferer. We might have bad politicians but our people are good and hard working. Please before making any statement , make sure if you are doing justice to them.
Shyamal Mahmood: Can you tell us the location this picture was taken? Was it at the Tristan on St. Catherine Street near Eaton Centre in Montreal? Date?
It’s very clear that Tristan followed a dirty marketing policy but they never think how much they are paying for a garment.
Being a part of this trade we know all buyers are placing orders with maximum 10-12 percent of the retail price & making high amount of profit. So, how much safety they expect in this 3rd world country?
Knowing all of this you guys are coming to this country because of cheaper price.
Just a comparison – for a burger it costs around 10 USD but most of the garments are shipped from this country which FOB value is very less then one burger price.
This is the reality.
So, please think again before hanging such type of posters in front of stores.
Am reminded of when Letterman cornered Trump on his show, and forced him to admit that he did actually have products carrying his brand made in China. I wonder if the store is accurate in claiming nothing is made in Bangladesh? For any store selling any kinds of garments in North America or Europe, that would be very unlikely.
Every body should realize the actual problems of this event. Nobody has any right to damage of our country’s brand value.
You are degrading our beloved Bangladesh today but be sure – we will turn around soon & will show the world how we can convert this sorrows to strength. That day is not far when we will remove all these nasty politicians & the new generation will drive the country to the peak. Inshahallah.