SSENSE Apologizes to Polyvore Users Over Recent Acquisition

Since purchasing Polyvore last week, Canadian retailer SSENSE has attracted criticism from fans of the platform. Responding to this controversy, SSENSE has now released a statement apologizing for the “distress” the company’s “actions have caused the Polyvore community over the past few days.”

The full statement — released via Instagram — explains that SSENSE “handled things badly” in regards to the acquisition. It also goes on to detail how users can opt out of transferring their data to SSENSE, as well as listing the data that the retailer will receive. The statement also admits that SSENSE “do not have the ability to bring the website or its functionalities back” while also explaining that “the parent company of Polyvore is responsible for managing the content and data transfers.” SSENSE’s statement concludes with the retailer stating “we acknowledge the passion and creativity of the Polyvore community and we’re deeply sorry.”

The apology has been criticized by Polyvore fans, with a particular focus on SSENSE’s claim that it can’t retrieve the website or its functionalities. Numerous users of the site replied to the retailer’s statement, with one complaining that “years of work and connections were just stolen from us and destroyed without warning” with the apology not going far enough to address these concerns. Take a look at the full statement from SSENSE above, and check out some reactions to the below.

In other fashion news, Prada and MR PORTER are teaming up for an exclusive bowling-themed capsule.

it wasn’t YOUR decision to shut down a whole community? you don’t have the “ability” to bring it back? THEN WHO DOES? who has the codes to bring it back. none of this situation makes ANY sense. you’re not answering any real questions, it took 5 days to address anything,

— Cheryl Blossom (@cherylbombshel1) April 10, 2018

I don’t think you guys grasp the heartbreak you have caused the #polyfam . It was painful enough to have our creative space taken from us. What made it worse was the lack of warning. You didn’t even give us a chance to get contact information from our friends or save our drafts.

— Alma Escobar 🧚🏽‍♀️✨ (@almafairy) April 10, 2018