
UK advertising watchdog bans Zara ads due to ‘unhealthily thin' model photos
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it took action after it received a complaint about the ads, which were listed on Zara's website in May.
One image showed a model with "protruding" collarbones, with her pose and styling making her appear "very slim".
Another featured a model who looked "slightly gaunt" owing to a slicked-back hairstyle and that the lighting and clothing made her appear "noticeably thin", the ASA said.
The watchdog ruled the ads breached social responsibility rules and must not appear again in the same form.
Zara told the ASA that the models were medically certified as healthy, in line with British guidelines.
It also assured that only minor lighting and colouring edits were made on the images.
The ads were removed after the ASA made the company aware of the complaint, Zara said in a statement.
It added that Zara "follow stringent guidelines and controls in the selection and photographing of models".
Earlier this year, the ASA banned similar ads from British retailers Next and Marks & Spencer.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
China hoarding its tech riches fiercely
Amid expectations of a thaw in ties as Prime Minister Narendra Modi heads to China for his first visit there in seven years, people with knowledge of the matter pointed out that Beijing hasn't been in a hurry to clear partnership deals between companies in the two countries, especially when it comes to transferring critical technology. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency Chinese appliance maker Haier's bid to sell a stake of 48-50% in its wholly-owned Indian operations has been delayed by over two months as the government there is vetting deal terms and conditions, including technology transfer, a person aware of the details said. Bharti Group chairman Sunil Mittal has signed an exclusivity agreement with Haier to acquire the stake and most formalities have been completed, the person said. Another technology transfer deal awaiting Chinese government approval involves Indian electronic contract manufacturer PG Electroplast for air-conditioner compressors. "In the next one or two months, we will have some more clarity on this," Vishal Gupta, managing director, finance, at PG Electroplast, told analysts last week. PG Electroplast hasn't yet disclosed the name of the partner for this project but people in the know said it's China's top compressor manufacturer Highly Group. Gupta further said he was in China three weeks ago and had a discussion with the partner. "It is held up at their end right now. Everything is ready (here)," he said. Beijing has also stepped up scrutiny on transaction in the automobile sector with regard to how much electric vehicle technology is being shared "China has the lead in electric vehicle technology, and they do not want it to permeate to other geographies," said an industry executive. An electronics industry executive said companies in China have informed potential partners about "verbal" instructions from their government that any deal on technology transfer with overseas companies needs to be scrutinized. "This is especially true for deals involving mid to large Chinese companies," he said. That's delaying business plans of Indian companies that are highly reliant on Chinese technology and components. PG Electroplast's management told analysts that the delay might push the compressor project, which was supposed to be operational in FY26, into next year. The company has therefore reduced its capex guidance for this year from Rs 900 crore to Rs 700-750 crore. The compressor plant building is almost ready and it will order the machinery once the partner gets Chinese approval. India's leading auto parts and electronic companies such as Sona Comstar, Dixon Technologies , Epack Durable Ltd and Bhagwati Products are in the process of setting up joint ventures or technical alliances with Chinese companies. Lumax Autotech is looking at setting up an engineering, sourcing and capability development hub in China to stay abreast of new trends and technologies. A senior auto industry executive said the Chinese government knows it has a trump card because the companies are key players in EV technology and the supply chain. "They are putting curbs to retain control, stay ahead, negotiate, like in the case of rare earths with the United States. In India too, we scrutinise Chinese investments under Press Note 3 (PN3). They have started doing the same for tech agreements," he said. Indian companies have sought relaxations in PN3 approvals from the Indian government to build local manufacturing competence in components. PN3 was introduced amid border tensions by the Indian government in 2020 mandating multi-ministry clearance for equity deals for companies sharing a land border with India, such as China. Another executive said Chinese companies have always been conservative when it comes to selling stakes in overseas operations or doing large technology transfer agreements. "So, the government wants to ensure China retains the right to control the technology," he said. Bilateral relations have improved since then and Prime Minister Modi's visit comes in the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's tariff threats against both nations. India and China are planning to commence discussions on a trade package covering supplies of critical rare earth magnets, fertilisers and pharmaceuticals, ET reported recently.


Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
British horseracing to go on strike in protest against rise in betting taxes
LONDON (AP) — British horseracing will stage an unprecedented one-day strike on Sept. 10 to protest a proposed rise in taxes on race betting. The four scheduled meetings that day — at Carlisle, Uttoxeter, Lingfield and Kempton — will not take place after agreements between the owners of the courses and the British Horseracing Authority, making it the first time the sport in Britain has voluntarily refused to race in modern history. The BHA set up the 'Axe the Racing Tax' campaign in response to proposals to replace the existing three-tax structure of online gambling duties with a single tax, with fears the current 15% duty on racing could be increased to the 21% levied on games of chance. Brant Dunshea, chief executive at the British Horseracing Authority, said the strike intends to 'highlight to (the) government the serious consequences of the treasury's tax proposals which threaten the very future of our sport.' 'British racing is already in a precarious financial position and research has shown that a tax rise on racing could be catastrophic for the sport and the thousands of jobs that rely on it in towns and communities across the country," Dunshea said. 'This is the first time that British racing has chosen not to race due to government proposals. We haven't taken this decision lightly but in doing so we are urging the government to rethink this tax proposal to protect the future of our sport which is a cherished part of Britain's heritage and culture." The British government said it was bringing the 'treatment of online betting in line with other forms of online gambling to cut down bureaucracy.' 'It is not about increasing or decreasing rates,' the government said, "and we welcome views from all stakeholders including businesses, trade bodies, the third sector and individuals.'


Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Pakistan minister repeats claim without evidence on downing Indian jets
A Pakistani minister on Sunday repeated Islamabad's earlier claim without providing details of downing six Indian jets during the four-day military conflict between the two sides in May. Independence Day 2025 Modi signals new push for tech independence with local chips Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave India its own currency India's Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, speaking in Singapore on May 31, had flatly rejected as "absolutely incorrect" Pakistan's claim of bringing down six Indian jets. In his remarks at a seminar, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Islamabad chose not to make any formal announcement on it until "concrete evidence" is collected. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Undo In his comments, Gen Chauhan had said that India suffered losses of aircraft but did not specify the number. India's Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh earlier this month said that India shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and a large aircraft. Live Events "Although the radar data had confirmed the downing of the Indian aircraft, Pakistan chose not to make any announcement until concrete evidence is in hand. We have video footage of all six Indian planes which were shot down," Naqvi said. However, he did not clarify when Pakistan plans to bring forth the evidence publicly. The minister further said during this conflict Pakistan had full knowledge of the enemy's planning like what aircraft they would use. "Whatever strategy India devised, we learned about it in time," he boasted. He also claimed that none of Pakistan's critical assets were damaged during India's missile attack on its seven airbases.