My letter to Givenchy – Updated with reply re: #Rottweiler print sweatshirt

DEAR SIR/MADAME

I AM CONTACTING YOU IN RELATION TO YOUR ROTTWEILER PRINT SWEATSHIRT.

AS AN OWNER OF TWO RESCUED ROTTWEILERS, I AM DISSAPOINTTED IN THE AGRESSIVE DEPICTION OF BREED, WHICH I PERSONALY FEAR, MAY, ONCE AGAIN LEAD TO THE BREED BEING DEMONISED.
THIS, WE HAVE FOUND IN THE PAST, ENCOURAGES IRRESPONSIBLE BREEDING AND OWNERS, WHO BECOME ATTRACTED TO THE BREED FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS.
OUR DOGS ARE BEAUTIFUL. MANY THOUSANDS OF RESPONSIBLE, KIND AND CARING ROTTWEILER OWNERS SHARE PHOTOS AND STORIES ON THE INTERNET OF THIS NOBLE DOG.
THERE ARE BREED SPECIFIC LEGISLATION CAMPAIGNS ACROSS THE WORLD TRYING TO AMMEND AND IMPROVE LIVES FOR DOGS ON THE RESTRICTED BREEDS LIST.
I VERY MUCH FEAR THAT EVERY TIME YOUR SWEATSHIRT IS WORN; IT WILL REFLECT NEGITIVELY ON THE ROTTWEILER’S REPUTATION AS A BREED.
THEY ARE THE MOST GENTLEST, LOYAL BREED I KNOW.
PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR INFLUENCE ON POPULAR SOCIETY, AND USE THAT POWER WISELY.
I SUSPECT HIGH STREET STORES WILL COPY YOUR EXAMPLE SO PLEASE, STICK A RED ROSE IN THE DOG’S MOUTH AND LOOSE THE SNARLING TEETH.

KIND REGARDS
WWW.BANETOTHERESCUE.TUMBLR.COM

I e-mailed the above to Givenchy this morning.
Above you’ll see one of our rescued Rotties.
Although I wanted to avoid sharing the Givenchy depiction of a Rottweiler, for the purposes of this article, you will find it below.
Needless to say, copyright Givenchy.

Update

Madam,

Thank you for your recent email and the interest shown in Maison Givenchy.

Further to your comments, you should know that Givenchy has always shown the highest respect for people and products or animals.

The ‘sweet breed’ mentioned in your email is no more than Riccardo Tisci’s favorite animal, that he would have loved to have as a kid.

Since becoming menswear creative director of Givenchy in 2009, Riccardo Tisci has expressed itself through urban masculinity and has been exploring shapes, details and animals, sometime in unconventional ways. These are constant fixtures in all his collections.

This Rottweiler’s special edition captures Riccardo Tisci’s mood and inspiration of the Fall/Winter 2011 season, using only a photographic technique of the dog’s face.

We assure you there is neither ill-treatment towards animals nor misinterpretating to have on our advertising campaigns and products representations.

We thank you for understanding and look forward to welcoming you in our boutiques.

Yours sincerely,

Eliana – Givenchy Customer Service
information@givenchy.fr