J.Crew Paints Boy's Nails Pink: Fox News Goes Bonkers, CBS Furrows Brow

Posted by Abe Sauer on April 13, 2011 12:30 PM

The new J.Crew catalog features a photo that has raised the ire of some conservatives who see it as an affront to traditional "family values." The photo, part of the regular Jenna's Picks feature, this month called "Saturday with Jenna," depicts the brand's president and resident design guru painting her son's toenails pink (above).

The image outraged well-known psychologist Keith Ablow, who took to Fox News to scold J.Crew, saying "Yeah, well, it may be fun and games now, Jenna, but at least put some money aside for psychotherapy for the kid—and maybe a little for others who’ll be affected by your 'innocent' pleasure."

This morning, the tempest in a pink teacup led to a "gender discussion" on the CBS Early Show featuring a psychologist as one of a trio of concerned moms. Oh yeah, it's on.

Recognizing a good debate that means nothing but promises attention, Fox News has gone on to bang the J.Crew gong with a web piece titled "J. Crew Ad Showing Boy With Pink Nail Polish Sparks Debate on Gender Identity." Apart from the fact that it's not an ad — although it was used in an email marketing piece — Fox's story, of course, cites its own Ablow article as the source of the controversy.

Its online piece has attracted thousands of comments on FoxNews.com and across the blogosphere, but it's unlikely this will result in any damage to the J.Crew brand.

Lyons, a shrewd marketer to be sure, probably didn't expect the photo to become a flashpoint for conservative commentators and childhood gender identity issues. Maybe she's getting a chuckle out of the whole thing, although we'd bet she's also outraged at seeing her son's name dragged through the mud by Fox News and morning shows. After all, the photo shows a mom and son goofing around and having a bit of fun; what harm in that?

Interestingly, when it comes to America's sociopolitical culture wars, it seems J.Crew has unwittingly become a bit of a player thanks to another high-profile mom. Two years ago, the brand saw a huge rush of interest when First Lady Michelle Obama selected its fashions for her personal wardrobe, and the brand has been a staple for the First Lady and her daughters, too.

Still, to get back to the matter at hand: Pink nail polish? Really? Fox News needs to find a hobby — clearly, it (or at least Ablow) has too much (time) on its hands.

More about: J. Crew, Fox News, Jenna Lyons, Fashion, Retail, Keith Ablow, CBS Early Show, J.Crew

Elliott says:

Not sure how to take this. I wonder if a different color would have made a difference? My wife has done goofy stuff like that to our son. She's put our daughter's hair bows in his hair or put him in a pink to-to (sp? I'm a man for god sakes). It was all done in sillyness. In retrospect it was actually reinforcing gender roles, because we were saying how silly it is for a boy to be wearing hair bows and to-to's. I think because there is a lack of context, is why Fox jump on it. If the design maybe included smaller shots of the kid giving a more "This is silly, mom" type look may have diluted the perceived gender issue connotation. BTW, this will in no way effect the j. crew brand.

April 13, 2011 12:47 PM #

Shelley Harper says:

As a marketer of a young apparel brand, I find this outrage ridiculous. As the mother of a boy, I find Fox and Ablow insulting. Just today I read the most interesting article on smithsonian.com about gender associations with pink and blue. We are reminded that not all that long ago, boys were wearing dresses and patent leather shoes until they were 6 (FDR was featured in an image on the site). Pink as a feminine color is really a product of the last 30 to 40 years.

Additionally, both mother and son are both laughing in the picture, so it's just a bit of fun. I agree Fox and Ablow certainly have more important topics to discuss such as why a mother would run her van into the Hudson...

April 13, 2011 01:14 PM #

dnc says:

my godson was baptized in a traditional baptismal dress. No problem in that.
He wears his hair long like his favorite athletes do. No problem with that.
He wears pink shirts like his godfather does. No problem with that.

Would I let my godson go to school in a dress? NO.
Would I allow him to go school with his long hair french braided? NO.
Would I let him wear a pink blouse? NO.

Why not? Cause all of the above are for girls. As is nail polish.

April 13, 2011 05:02 PM #

question: would a mother allow her son to go to school with pink nail polish? You think Fox news is bad - wait until the childs peers get to him...nothing wrong with the color pink. It's the nail polish that bothers me.

April 13, 2011 04:51 PM #

mlb says:

what's the big deal? i read the same article shelly did which states that children are not aware of gender until ages 3-4 and they don't understand it is permanent until 5-7. the adults are the group with the gender hang ups, not kids. trends come and go, and so do gender stereotypes. before getting into a lather about nailpolish on a boy, how about directing your anger towards the powers that be who decided that more money could be made by pushing gender specific clothing on to new parents (it wasn't that long ago that clothing for children was more gender neutral). as for my son -- he is very happy playing with whatever toys he chooses (cars and trucks) while his nails are painted (his choice). i'm more concerned about him figuring out the type of human being he's going to be than i am with adults who have their own identity issues judging what he chooses to do.

i think i'll see if he wants to change his polish to pink today.

April 14, 2011 09:30 AM #

mlb - what a brilliant response! I am so proud that you commented back to me. And this statement: "i'm more concerned about him figuring out the type of human being he's going to be than i am with adults who have their own identity issues judging what he chooses to do." is exactly, precisely what I was thinking, but you said it better. Thank you!