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High street retailers criticized for using thin models
Zara and Marks & Spencer faced backlash over ads featuring unhealthily thin models.
A troubling trend in fashion is returning with high street retailers using unhealthily thin models.
High street retailers face backlash over use of unhealthily thin models
Two major high street retailers, Zara and Marks & Spencer, are under fire for using models deemed excessively thin. The Advertising Standards Authority criticized both brands for promoting an unrealistic body image during the recent fashion season. Zara showcased a model whose appearance was described as gaunt, while M&S featured a model who exhibited extreme thinness in their advertising. This situation coincides with the rise of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, which have gained popularity, leading to growing concerns about the impact of glorifying thinner body types. Historically, the fashion industry shifted towards body positivity, but current trends suggest a regression to the era of heroin chic. Data indicates that only four out of the top twenty brands at this year’s fashion week used curvy models, further emphasizing this troubling return to unhealthily thin representations.
Key Takeaways
"Don’t perpetuate the culture that you rose to prominence trying to take down."
Jameela Jamil expresses frustration with influencers abandoning body positivity.
"We are facing a worrying return to using extremely thin models."
Fashion industry commentators highlight the risk of reverting to harmful standards.
"As models’ figures become more attainable, the ideals become increasingly distorted."
Commenting on the impact of weight-loss drugs on body image perceptions.
"The hashtag #thinspo has been banned, but similar trends continue to thrive on social media."
A reminder of the ongoing dangers posed by dieting culture.
This resurgence of extremely thin models raises questions about the responsibility of fashion retailers and their impact on public perception. As the body positivity movement gains traction, the revival of heroin chic shows a troubling disconnect between the ideals being promoted and the realities faced by most consumers. With influencers and celebrities endorsing weight-loss drugs while also promoting body acceptance, a confusing narrative emerges. The contradiction leaves many feeling abandoned or insufficient when compared to less attainable body standards. Beyond aesthetic concerns, this trend can foster harmful dieting behaviors, especially in young women. The responsibility lies with the industry to critically evaluate the messages it sends and the models it elevates to avoid repeating past mistakes of promoting unhealthy body ideals.
Highlights
- Zara and M&S face backlash for promoting unhealthy body images.
- The fashion world risks repeating past mistakes with heroin chic.
- Celebrities embracing weight loss affect many young women.
- Society's obsession with thinness still runs deep.
Risk of promoting unhealthy body images
The use of unhealthily thin models by high street retailers can negatively influence public perception of body standards, leading to potential health risks especially among young women. This trend undermines the body positivity movement and promotes unrealistic ideals, fostering a harmful dieting culture.
The fashion industry must confront its past mistakes to avoid repeating harmful trends.
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