It has been a long time coming but painfully thin models in fashion ads are beginning to receive more than social media comments (for and against, to be fair) – at least in the UK.
Two weeks ago, Marks & Spencer copped an ASA ban for two of four ads that received complaints. Now Zara has – also with two of four ads on its website banned for featuring models who looked “unhealthily thin”.
Both ads were released in May. One featured a model wearing an oversized white shirt with her collarbone prominently emphasised by the shirt’s design and the positioning of her arms. The other featured a model in a short white dress whose legs appeared noticeably thin, while styling and lighting accentuated a “gaunt” appearance.
The full ruling and a warning to all perhaps, is here.
Both Marks & Spencer and Zara stated that Zara their models had medical certification that proved they were in good health, complying with Recommendation of Three within the Fashioning a Healthy Future report published by the UK Model Health Inquiry.
