The entertainment industry is in shambles because of the coronavirus, and everything is being closed, suspended or cancelled. People are worried about their paychecks, how they’ll stay home with their kids, if they’ll be able to get a test if they think they have the virus. But what of the Instagram influencers, no one asks. What about these poor, talentless, laxative-shilling, spon-con pushers out there? What about THEIR income? So it is with Gwyneth Paltrow, who chose an international pandemic as the moment to shill her Goop-branded G.Label gear on Instagram. She later deleted the Insta.
Gwyneth Paltrow and her fancy Goop brand are under fire after hawking a pricey designer outfit amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Oscar winner posed in a simple white shirt, khaki skirt and sneakers for a since-deleted post on her Goop Instagram page on Friday, with the caption: “Most days you’ll find GP wearing G.Label with a pair of sneakers—which is one reason we make it an annual tradition to put together a fresh sneaker guide each year. Get ready to cover some serious ground (run, don’t walk).”
Her fervent followers, however, were less than happy as soon as the post went up, with one writing, “I think it’s irresponsible to post this as a world-wide pandemic is going on. You have a great platform around health. Now would be the time to expand on it.”
Another said, “Come on goop, when you said GP, I thought at first you were referring to Dr. Please use your platform in a more sensitive way … I really don’t think it’s the time to think about buying trainers when people are struggling to buy day to day supplies. We don’t want doom and gloom, but maybe a post on boosting your immune system, staying healthy etc…”
Paltrow’s outfit was comprised of a G. Label “Alexander” slit trouser skirt costing $450, and Alexandre Berman’s “Clarita” sneakers at $425. Among the 145 comments on the post, another added: “We’re in the middle of a world-wide pandemic, y’all really think anyone’s gonna buy an ugly a–s $450 skirt?”
Some called the message “tone-deaf” and “irresponsible” as one said: “Who would buy any clothing items now? Only making the rich richer.”
The post did follow a Goop Instagram post on staying healthy amid the global crisis, which only served to make the brand even more out of touch as another follower wrote: “What is this BS!” accusing Goop of trying to sell “$500 trainers that to be honest my 94-year-old grandmother wouldn’t wear.”
I’m not trying to be some kind of late-stage capitalist contrarian right now, but I don’t see a difference between what Gwyneth did versus what most major clothing companies are doing right now, which is sending out sale-emails and trying to tempt quarantined or self-isolating home-bound people to buy sh-t while they’re bored. I’ve gotten a dozen emails from Amazon, Land’s End, LL Bean, Old Navy, etc just in the past few days, all of which are offering “free shipping” or “30% off” or “maybe we can tempt you with THIS!” That being said, yes, of course it’s in bad form. Because Gwyneth pretends to be something more than just Goop-branded merch. She’s also a snake-oil saleswoman who profiteers on bad science, pseudomedicine and jade vagina eggs. You would think this would be her moment to shine and shill for some hokey corona “cures.” When you think of it that way, I’m actually glad she’s only posting sh-t about clothes.
And sh-t, this G.Label stuff is FUG.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Backgrid, Avalon Red and Instagram.
Tone deaf but not surprised.
I’m just surprised that Goop hasn’t claimed yet that their Vampire moonlight spray and those stickers repel the virus.
We should be thankful that Goop wasn’t giving “medical advice”. God only knows what she would tell us to do!
I could buy an outfit that looks just like that from my local thrift store for less than $30.
But can you tie your black grosgrains around your tennies? I think not.
That’s what Joann’s and a hot glue gun is for!
You speak the truth, Mabs, lol
i was going to say $10!
If she had already posted about the pandemic in a previous post I dont see the issue with it. People all over IG are posting sponsored content. If people take issue with Goop they should take issue with all of it.
That outfit she’s trying to shill reminds a bit of what Carolyn Bessette wore only that it’s incredibly ill-fitting and the material of that skirt looks cheap.
But in the immortal words of Chloe Sevigny “Gwyneth wishes!” (that quote still brings me so much joy)
Why not? We’re at home doing nothing is what she’s thinking so why not spend some personal income? I just sent a text to the hubs telling him, ‘I’m going shopping, anything you need or want?’ He knows I’m not hopping in the car. My shopping is really been ONLY online for quite some time now.
And I’m entertaining myself with our own income, not using other people to build myself a tennis pavilion.
My son is home for another week. I heard they’re even knocking around more time off and setting up online studies. I had groceries delivered on Saturday and Doordash delivered our meal last night. Gwyen is doing exactly what she should do. “Stay at home and stay on Goop!”
I have a question. I only have a couple of things I want to talk about tomorrow on the Amazon post that are related to the pandemic and then I planned on stopping doing them for a couple of weeks because it seems weird to me to keep doing them. Should I stop? As Kaiser wrote all these companies are like “here are sales when you’re stuck at home.”
Maybe just things that can be helpful during self-isolation / quarantine? Especially at good prices? I ordered an exercise bike the other day (not one of those over priced ones) because I knew we’d be stuck home for a while ..
@Snazzy the Sunny Bikes are good. I just subscribed to StudioSweatonDemand but there are so many free classes on YouTube on Global Cycling Network and the guys are hot and British.
Maybe also some things to keep morale high? Games, game books, stuff for kids, pets, cookbooks, bath time treats, etc.
I think it’s fine as long as it’s specific stuff people actually want or need at the moment. Gwyneth’s issue is that no one wants or needs her overpriced fug clothes. But I am probably going to buy some non-perishable stuff on Amazon, so have at it!
The fact you’re questioning is character testament enough imo. Most don’t get very far. We’re at home. Should Netflix and Hulu get everyone’s business? I’m already streaming Amazon Prime this morning, is a stretch to think I’d be ordering wipes, vitamins and screen shopping for us and our pet from their site? Nah. Retailers have never had a more captive audience, and all they need to do is wish us good health and continued happiness in these trying times.
What about people stuck at home wishing to reorganize? Spring clean? Exercise (mentioned above). What’s the healthiest way to sanitize our homes, (kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms)? What are some healthy germ-fighting recipes to cook up? Perhaps good recipes using least amounts of ingredients?
Learning material or things to entertain kids home from preschool! I’ve already started scraping the bottom of the barrel and rain is coming this week limiting the yard.
Also working from home so two kids to entertain while working is already giving me anxiety.
Maybe because with half the businesses being closed/shut down or hours cut many, many people are losing their income? Are even afraid of losing their jobs all together?
Great, you have a personal income to spend while you sit at home and a job to go back to after all this — many do not. Many also can’t stock up on supplies like meds, food and basic stuff.
There are those worried they will actually run out of food and can’t pay the rent.. and maybe get sick and have love ones die.
So, yes this is tone deaf. And I think so is your comment.
I expect it from a BIG faceless corporation but not from a “person” or someones personal IG account. Actually most of the emails I got from corporations were not about free ship or sales but cleaning, hours, don’t worry we are working to get your stuff to you, it maybe delayed, we will stay open for your food/meds, mostly cleaning and being safe.
Ok I hear you Mary. I’ll do one tomorrow and that will be the last one for a while. Everyone has different circumstances and I don’t think Mabs was being insensitive saying that she’s shopping online. She wasn’t bragging just saying she’s doing it.
You’re right Mary. I was in fact only speaking about myself and that is being toneless. My husband works from home, and he’s out doing his job, and I have two tabs up with things in carts. Plus groceries and pharmacy stuff. I’m sure I’m on the lucky side currently.
LadyMary, respectfully, I disagree that someone simply saying they are staying home shopping is tone deaf. I too face the possibility of losing my income as does my husband, however our community has had a confirmed case and I am in an “at risk” demographic due to preexisting health issues, and my husband’s work shut down already so we are housebound. Anything I need or want right now, I HAVE to order on the web. Should I stop doing so and go out to the store and put others and myself at risk simply to not offend people?
The fact of the matter is, people in all income brackets are going to be cooped up and are going to be ordering things online. Retail therapy is real. I do not at all think CB or Mabs are being insensitive for saying that they are shopping online. Which is a separate issue from Goop, who is and always has been insensitive to the plight of others, but even she caters to a completely different demographic that most of us do not fall under.
well said, I agree. Now is not the time to focus on ME.
I don’t agree. I trust Celebitchy to find tons of small businesses to support during these awful weeks. It does not have to be expensive, and we can chat about books and pet care and stuff.
Keep it going, Celebitchy!
I don’t get the outrage, she’s just one more online seller, and there wasn’t a fashion show packed with people. As far as emails from retailers, I probably get a dozen every day so I don’t see any difference.
I think if the brand put a model instead of “GP” then they’d be fine; like all the other ads. But Gwyneth is a celebrity and CEO of the company and it looks like she’s putting out a personal endorsed Instagram post with this image. So fair game. Bad PRmove whoever’s posted this, but i doubt it was GP herself
I kinda want to tell her to go suck an egg. A jade vagina one would work just fine.
Her whole getup looks cheap AF and ill fitting.
The difference is that LL Bean, Lands End, etc are not claiming to be health gurus like Paltrow. That’s why what she is doing is worse.
Looks like Bananna Republic 2003. She should be selling expensive soft lounge wear sweats , hoodies and cotton tees are what people want to wear when they are stuck at home or under the weather.