Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Education

Minnesota Backs Out of New Victoria’s Secret Clothing Line

June 25, 2008 05:17 PM ET | Alison Go | Permanent Link | Print

The University of Minnesota is now working to distance itself from a new Victoria's Secret PINK line that features cobranded merchandise from 33 schools (a full list appears after the jump), the Minnesota Daily reports. Although the goods are still being advertised as of today on the company's site, school officials are working to get all the products removed.

The university blames a "miscommunication" with its licensing company and the great purveyor of overpriced underwear for the mishap and says that "the clothing line was not in step with [its] values and focus." A school spokesman also clarified that the university mostly takes issue with the reputation and image of Victoria's Secret itself, rather than the type of apparel in question (it already sells branded lingerie on campus). Citing body image issues as one example, the spokesman said, "There are very legitimate issues that people have with that specific company and how they market."

The 32 schools that are participating, so far:

  • University of Alabama
  • Arizona State University
  • University of Arkansas
  • Auburn University
  • UC-Berkeley
  • Boston College
  • Clemson University
  • University of Colorado
  • Florida State University
  • University of Florida
  • University of Georgia
  • Harvard University
  • University of Illinois
  • University of Kansas
  • University of Kentucky
  • UCLA
  • Louisiana State University
  • University of Maryland
  • University of Miami
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Nebraska
  • University of North Carolina
  • University of Oklahoma
  • University of Oregon
  • Penn State University
  • University of South Carolina
  • University of Southern California
  • University of Tennessee
  • Texas A&M
  • University of Texas
  • University of Washington
  • University of Wisconsin

Tags: retail | University of Minnesota

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Reader Comments

How am I not surprised....

I am U of M alumni and I think it's a wonderful idea to collaborate. Victoria's Secret is extremely popular with college-aged women and it's a great way to allow students to show their school pride. I heard something about their concern about the prices. The U of M Bookstore charges over $50 for basic hoodies. That's calling the kettle black. I guess the U officials can sleep at night knowing that students are paying high tuition and high book costs, but the idea of students paying $25 for a tee shirt is against their values?

Ridiculous.

Nobody is forced to buy their University clothing through Victoria Secret, if someone has an issue with the image that Victoria Secret sets forth then there is no need for them to shop there, many others will love it - Great marketing tool!

Someone should pat the person on the back that got into the relationship with VS, not scold them. This person obviously has great marketing skills that are being wasted at the U of M.

Makes you wonder what they teach in their marketing course.

Furthermore...

Don't school officials have better things to do with their time?

It's not as though their name was branded on explicit lingerie

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About The Paper Trail

Being a college graduate and all, writer Alison Go is uniquely qualified to sift through thousands of student newspaper headlines every day to bring you the latest, most important, or just plain weirdest news from campuses across the country. Heard bigger news or a crazier story? Send tips to papertrail@usnews.com.

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