A Shein spokesperson said it has delisted and removed the ‘adult products’ for sale|Danielll10|CC BY-SA 4.0
The French government has suspended access to Shein’s website after discovering that the company had listed child pornography sex dolls for sale in France.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu ordered the suspension until Shein can prove its platform complies with French law.
A spokesperson for the fast-fashion retailer said that it has delisted and removed the “adult products” for sale.
The scandal erupted just as Shein opened its first physical store in Paris, inside the BHV Marais luxury department store. More than 200 police officers were deployed as crowds of protestors gathered outside and hurled insults at shoppers.
The launch had already sparked protests and backlash in France in recent months, amid accusations that Chinese-owned Shein is exploiting cheap labor and violating environmental standards.
Despite the controversy, Shein’s low-cost fashion drew large crowds of shoppers and influencers eager for cheap clothing.
The incident has deepened backlash against Shein in France, where critics see the brand as a symbol of unethical fast fashion and disregard for French labor, environmental, and moral standards.