Retailer H&M has insisted that it got all the approvals it needed for some Justin Bieber related products that it is currently selling. The insistence came after Bieber himself took to Instagram earlier this week to diss those products and urge fans not to buy them.
Bieber told his fans on Instagram on Monday: "I didn't approve any of the merch collection that they put up at H&M", adding that the products up for sale are "all without my permission and approval" and "I wouldn't buy if I were you".
And just in case any of that wasn't clear, he stated in a subsequent post: "The H&M merch they made of me is trash and I didn't approve it - don't buy it".
Bieber didn't clarify which specific products being sold by H&M he was objecting to. Though a fan subsequently posted images of shirts, a tote bag and a mobile phone cover all featuring images of the pop star, to which he responded: "When everyone finds out I didn’t approve any of this merch - smh".
While Bieber himself may not have approved any of this 'trash', the retail firm insists somebody did. Or at least, that official approval procedures were followed.
In a short statement, an H&M spokesperson told reporters: "As with all other licensed products and partnerships, H&M followed proper approval procedures". So that's alright then.
H&M has now removed the Bieber branded products that the musician criticised. It continues to insist it had all the required approvals for the products but out of respect for the collaboration and Justin Bieber we have removed the garments from our stores and online".
UPDATE 22 Dec 2022, 9.00am:H&M has now removed the Bieber branded products that the musician criticised. It continues to insist it had all the required approvals for the products but "out of respect for the collaboration and Justin Bieber we have removed the garments from our stores and online".