Latest news with #FashioningaHealthyFuture
NDTV
06-08-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Two Zara Ads Banned For Unhealthily Thin Models With "Protruding Collarbones"
Two advertisements by fashion major Zara have been banned for featuring models who appeared "unhealthily thin". The now banned advertisements previously appeared on Zara's application and website in an image carousel. One of these ads featured a model wearing a short white dress. According to the UK's advertising regulator Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), a shadow effect was used to make the model's legs appear "noticeably thin". The agency also said that the position of the model's upper arms and elbow joints made her body look "out of proportion". In the other advertisement, the model's slick back bun hairdo made her appear "gaunt", while her pose and the low-cut design of her short dress in another image brought attention to her "protruding" collarbones. According to the BBC, ad-watchdog ASA ruled that such "irresponsible" advertisements must not appear in their current state on the Zara app again and that the fast fashion brand must ensure that all images are "prepared responsibly" in future. Following censure, Zara removed the two advertisements, adding that both the models were healthy when the pictures were taken. The Question Of Protruding Collarbones The second banned advertisement was of a shirt and the pose chosen by the model made her "protruding" collarbones a "focal feature" of the ad. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) investigated two other Zara advertisements but neither of them was banned. Zara also apparently removed all the images that were flagged by ASA, while adding that it had not received any direct complaints. The retailer also told the advertising authority that it followed recommendations of a report, Fashioning a Healthy Future, which was published in the year 2007 by the UK Model Health Inquiry. The retailer told ASA that none of the images had been modified beyond "very minor lighting and colouring edits". Zara said it specifically complied with the recommendation number three of that report which stated that models "should provide a medical certificate attesting their good health from doctors with expertise in recognising eating disorders". Zara being at the centre of a controversy over promoting unhealthy body image standards comes months after other retailers also found themselves in a soup over similar advertisements. In July 2025, an ad by Marks & Spencer was banned because the model appeared to be "unhealthily thin". Earlier this year, an advertisement for blue skinny jeans by Next also faced a ban by the ASA for emphasising the thinness of the model's legs with camera angles.
Mint
06-08-2025
- Health
- Mint
Zara ads banned for featuring ‘unhealthily thin models; watchdog calls it 'irresponsible'
Two Zara ads have been banned in the UK for featuring models who looked 'unhealthily thin'. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said one model looked 'gaunt' because of shadows and her hairstyle, the BBC reported. Another model's shirt revealed sticking-out collarbones. The ASA said both ads were 'irresponsible' and must not appear again. They also told Zara to be more careful with future images. Zara removed the pictures. However, the Spanish fast-fashion retailer said both models were healthy with proper medical certificates. The banned ads were seen on Zara's app and website. One ad was for a short dress, in which the model's legs looked very thin due to shadows. Her arms and elbows also seemed out of proportion. The second ad was for a shirt. The way the model posed made her collarbones stand out too much. The ASA felt these images had sent the wrong message about body image. Two other Zara ads were investigated but not banned. Zara removed all the flagged images, even though no one had directly complained. The brand said it only made small changes to lighting and colour in the photos. According to Zara, it follows the health rules from a 2007 report called Fashioning a Healthy Future. This report advises that models should show medical proof of good health from doctors who understand eating disorders. The ASA earlier banned a Marks & Spencer ad for showing an 'unhealthily thin' model. Four people complained about four ads on the brand's app, website and email. The images showed female models wearing pink polka dot dresses or slim trousers with a white top. In one photo, the model's collarbones looked very clear. In another, the model looked 'thin'. Marks & Spencer said the models were size eight and chosen for their health and professionalism. The company said it was their standard practice to work only with healthy models. Marks & Spencer changed the ads and removed the images. Still, the ASA banned one image completely. The watchdog said the ad was 'irresponsible'. In February, an ad by clothing brand Next was banned in the UK. Again, the ASA found the model 'unhealthily thin'. Next disagreed. They said the model is slim but healthy and toned. Her pose was chosen to show how the leggings fit on both straight and bent legs. Some social media users expressed their disappointment after the Next ad had been banned. They argued why it was OK to show 'unhealthily overweight' models, but not slim ones.
