The apology from Land’s End followed criticism from customers, and a pro-life news agency’s article about the company’s feature with longtime feminist Gloria Steinem. Credit: Getty Images

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Lands' End quickly backpedaled this week from an association with feminist Gloria Steinem after hearing complaints from customers and the publication of an article by a pro-life news agency.

With customers taking to the company's Facebook page to voice objections centered on Steinem's support for abortion rights, Lands' End on Tuesday removed a feature on Steinem from its website.

Company CEO Federica Marchionni had interviewed Steinem to kick off the Lands' End "Legend Series" on "individuals who have made a difference in both their respective industries and the world at large."

On Wednesday afternoon, the Dodgeville-based retailer of traditional clothing issued an apology.

"We understand that some of our customers were offended by the inclusion of an interview in a recent catalog with Gloria Steinem on her quest for women's equality," the firm said in a statement. "We thought it was a good idea and we heard from our customers that, for different reasons, it wasn't. For that, we sincerely apologize.

"Our goal was to feature individuals with different interests and backgrounds that have made a difference for our new Legends Series, not to take any political or religious stance."

On Tuesday, LifeNews.com reported that Lands' End had published the interview and photo-shoot with Steinem and was launching a yearlong campaign "to honor (the) pro-abortion feminist" by donating to one of her organizations.

LifeNews describes itself as "an independent news agency devoted to reporting news that affects the pro-life community."

A few hours later, Lands' End removed references to Steinem from its website, LifeNews staff writer Micaiah Bilger said in an interview.

LifeNews on Wednesday posted a second article by Bilger about the Steinem interview being removed.

Opponents of abortion rights peppered the Lands' End Facebook page Wednesday with vows never to shop with the firm again. A few Steinem supporters also weighed in, but they appeared to be far outnumbered by the critics.

Beyond possible issues with individuals, Lands' End conceivably could face a more serious problem in its school-uniform business, which includes private, religious schools as customers.

At least two — School of the Ozarks and Fr. Tolton Catholic High School, both in Missouri — said Wednesday that they would no longer buy uniforms from Lands' End.

In August 2014, before Marchionni's arrival at Lands' End, the retailer also apologized after riling many customers by rewarding their patronage with subscriptions to men's magazine GQ, and the first issue featured a nearly naked model on the cover.