// John Lewis stopped sale of child’s party dress named “Lollita” after receiving criticism
// “Lollita” is a similar name to a 1955 novel Lolita, which details child sexual abuse
// Prior to removing the dress from sale, John Lewis described it as a “partywear favourite”
John Lewis has removed a child’s party dress named “Lollita” from its stores after receiving criticism.
The dress by fashion brand Chi Chi London was on sale for children aged three to 11 years old on the retailer’s website for £50.
The department store chain received criticism for the sale of the dress because “Lollita” is a similar name to Vladimir Nabokov’s 1955 novel Lolita, which details child sexual abuse.
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It outlines how a middle-aged professor abuses a 12-year-old girl.
Sharing a screenshot of the dress on the John Lewis website to Twitter, writer Victoria Coren Mitchell said: “If you were going to think of a name for a child’s party dress, what would you NOT call it?”
If you were going to think of a name for a child’s party dress, what would you NOT call it? pic.twitter.com/yppG3Lgu3z
— Victoria Coren Mitchell (@VictoriaCoren) December 9, 2021
The post has received more than 600 replies and has been liked almost 8,000 times.
Other Twitter users have also criticised John Lewis on the social media platform.
@JohnLewisRetail How come your staff do not have the education or general knowledge to realise that Lollita (sic) is an inappropriate name for a child’s party dress?
— Fleur Baladine #FBPE #GeneralElectionNow (@FleurBaladine71) December 11, 2021
One Twitter user stated it was different to the novel due to having two “ls” in the name.
Prior to removing the dress from sale, John Lewis’ website described it as a “partywear favourite”.
The description of the dress said: “This pretty dress features delicate metallic embroidery, scalloped edges and a chiffon skirt with tulle underlay that’s perfect for twirling on the dance floor.”
John Lewis said it removed the product from sale as soon as it was brought to attention the upset it had caused.
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