The advertising is "scary," writes the newspaper Le Parisien, which published pictures of the Shein dolls that the French anti-fraud authority DGCCRF drew attention to this weekend.
The dolls – around 80 centimetres tall – have the features and body of a little girl. They hold a teddy bear in their arms. The purchase description makes it clear in sexually explicit language that it is a "male masturbation toy" with an "erotic body".
Shortly after the DGCCRF's statement on Saturday, Shein announced that the dolls had been withdrawn and an internal investigation had been launched. Nevertheless, on Monday – two days before Shein's opening in the Paris department store BHV Marais – Finance Minister Roland Lescure threatened the company with a ban from France.
These horrible things are illegal, he tells French BFMTV and promises a legal investigation.
Shein's French establishment, which is the e-commerce giant's first physical store, has already faced sharp criticism. Shein has long been accused of substandard working conditions in its factories. They have also been criticized for undeclared microplastics in their products, for false marketing and for the strong environmental impact of ultra-fast fashion.
Several other brands have withdrawn their products from BHV Marais since Shein's establishment became known.
