Luigi Mangione is a 26-year-old amateur boxer facing daunting felony charges. His likeness ignited a firestorm earlier this month when it was appropriated to create a commemorative shirt on the wildly popular e-commerce site Shein. Mangione’s arrest last December sparked public outcry. He has been charged with murder and stalking in the fatal shooting of Mr. Thompson, a case that has drawn national attention and sparked passionate discussions about race, policing, and justice.
The face of Mangione ended up on a Shein tote bag that was offered for under $10 (£7.50) on the fast fashion retailer’s site. For how long his image hung and why it was taken down, it’s still not entirely clear. Following the discovery of the use of his image, a spokesperson from Shein confirmed that it was taken down immediately.
“The image in question was removed immediately upon discovery.” – Shein spokesperson
In addition to the swift removal of the image, the spokesperson stated, “We have stringent standards for the content of listings on our platform,” and noted that the company is “conducting a thorough review and are strengthening our monitoring processes.”
Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all federal charges stemming from Mr. Thompson’s death. His case has drawn supporters who gathered outside the courthouse during hearings, with some even celebrating him as a folk hero amidst the ongoing discussions of privatised healthcare that emerged following the incident.
Public response to Mangione’s case has been fierce. Activists and advocates alike are examining the issues involved with Mr. Thompson’s shooting death and what it means in the context of larger justice-related issues. For their part, Mangione’s legal representatives have so far declined to elaborate on the appropriateness of his likeness being used on Shein.
In an unrelated development, the BBC lodged a complaint against Apple. That complaint came in after the tech behemoth’s recently-launched iPhone feature helped generate some incredibly misleading clickbait headlines around Mangione. In the glare of this misfire and other blunders, Apple chose to abolish public posting on the feature.
Public interest still remains high as Mangione’s legal developments unfold. Artists on the other hand, can’t wait to find out what it means if his likeness is used commercially. The confluence of legal battles, public perception and corporate responsibility continues to capture the spotlight in this complex case.