Rolling Stones want to exit Shein deal over labour abuse claims

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
Nov 29, 2022

Rock legends The Rolling Stones may have only just launched a collection in a collaboration with fast-fashion retailer Shein, but they’re apparently keen to terminate their licensing deal with the Chinese business.

After news of the launch of the collection, British newspaper ‘i’ contacted the band to alert it to allegations of labour abuse in the firm’s supply chain.

A Channel 4 documentary called Untold: Inside the Shein Machine had earlier claimed garment makers in factories supplying the brand were working extremely long hours for a pittance.

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The Shein x Rolling Stones deal was negotiated by Universal Music Group’s Bravado International Group Merchandising Services unit.

Meanwhile, after being alerted to the issue, late on Monday, a spokesperson for The Rolling Stones was quoted by the newspaper saying: “We would like to thank i for bringing this to our attention. This is a licensing deal with Bravado Inc and as such they have the rights to exploit the brand on merchandise.

“We do not want to be associated with Shein, having been made aware of the recent revelations about the treatment of workers in its supply chain, and have requested the line be terminated.”

Rolling Stones merchandise is still available on the site, however.

Bravado also said on Monday that it has told Shein it was terminating the licensing deal immediately.

The newspaper also approached Shein for comment. It had earlier said it was “absolutely committed” to its supplier code of conduct, and that it would terminate partnerships of suppliers found to be non-compliant.