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The downside of holding an open design competition is that someday, someone is going to design something that someone else has a problem with. Well, Vans<\/strong> experienced that this week, according to a story on CNN<\/strong><\/a>. The someone is “a Canada-based user named Naomiso<\/strong>” and the someone else with a problem just might be the People’s Republic of China. Vans reportedly pulled the design (along with others) from their Custom Culture<\/strong><\/a> design competition on Saturday, October 5, 2019 saying in a facebook post: <\/p>\n “As a brand that is open to everyone, we have never taken a political position and therefore review designs to ensure they are in line with our company’s long-held values of respect and tolerance, as well as with our clearly communicated guidelines for this competition,” the statement said, without referring specifically to the protest-themed design.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The shoe, shown above, features “a red bauhinia, the flower on Hong Kong’s flag, and one of the yellow umbrellas synonymous with the city’s 2014 pro-democracy protests.” The designer was told the submission was pulled for the following reason:<\/p>\n “Not allowed: Trademarked or copyrighted material, business or brand logos, images of celebrities, professional team logos or mascots, nudity, images of weapons\/violence, images referencing drugs, alcohol or smoking, offensive contest, obscenity or hate.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Obviously, there are a few people upset by the shoe’s removal, and now a #boycottvans<\/strong><\/a> movement has apparently started. According to CNN, one Hong Kong shoe retailer has closed three of their stores because of “the controversy created by the contest.” Rough going for a contest about creativity and expression. For the rest of the story, please click the link<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n