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Article

30 Jul 2010

Author:
Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times

Fashion, make-up lines inspired by Ciudad Juarez spark apology

The U.S. cosmetics company MAC, owned by Estee Lauder, and fashion house Rodarte have apologized for a controversial make-up line with product names such as "Quinceanera," "Ghost Town," "Factory," and "Juarez," making reference to the border city wracked by ongoing drug-related violence and a wave of killings of women...MAC Cosmetics and Rodarte came under criticism...One lifestyle blog called it "horribly wrong" and "tasteless," noting that the product line refers to the Juarez maquiladora factories where women work for meager pay...Writer Sarah Menkedick...made this critique: "In a sweep of total insouciance, for chic U.S. women, 'Factory' is an abstract consumable concept, a shade of mint frost, whereas for Mexican women in maquiladoras, it's a sweaty, oppressive place where they're frequently harassed, threatened, raped, and killed."...In response to the criticism, MAC said...that it will donate all global profits from the limited-edition make-up line to a "newly created initiative to raise awareness and provide on-the-ground support to the women and girls in Juarez."..."MAC executives reiterated their deep regret and reinforced that it was never MAC's or Rodarte's intent to minimize the suffering of the women and girls of Ciudad Juarez." The...companies said they would be renaming the products.