A complaint was filed with the ASA saying the model was extremely underweight and could have a negative impact on young consumers. The ASA – which regulates misleading, harmful or offensive advertisements – said: “The complainant, who believed that the model in the picture was unhealthily thin, challenged whether the ad was irresponsible and harmful. We considered that the model was very thin, and noted, in particular, that there was a significant gap between the model’s thighs, and that her thighs and knees were a similar width.”
It added: “We understood that Urban Outfitters’ target market was young people and considered that using a noticeably underweight model was likely to impress upon that audience that the image was representative of the people who might wear Urban Outfitters’ clothing, and as being something to aspire to. We therefore concluded that the ad was irresponsible.”
Urban Outfitters replaced the image below with this one:
still up on their website. It said it was “common practice to use slim models in the underwear industry”, and that the firm “did not consider that the model was underweight or unhealthily thin”.
I don't believe that these types of pictures should be used. It creates an imagine in peoples minds that that is the way they have to look.
I don't understand why they would post those either! CLEARLY she's underweight and is possibly experiencing some eating disorder. I find it kind of offensive that they would only provide pictures of just women that thin. Being as though I am thicker below the waste, I feel as though they should have pictures of thicker women also. It is giving the youth a negative impact. What is i would've developed a eating disorder because I felt that Urban Outfitters was trying to say that young women should aspire to be this unhealthily thin. When it comes to advertising such things, companies should do more research and try to do an ad that would appear to more than just the thin young women.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think can be done to stop companies from using underweight models?
ReplyDeleteYes, these types of pictures really shouldn't be used but it is just how it is in our society. Although, I do not like to assume anything about anyone therefor I do not believe you can say that she has an eating disorder just from a picture of her legs. It also is her personal business if she wants to do modeling we really do not have a anything to do with her life. Also, we see pictures of very skinny girls everywhere promoting clothing, it really isn't a shock anymore. To be honest, I am kind of surprised they actually brought a topic up like this because she looks the same as any other model promoting clothing or underwear. I think we should promote body positivity in all its forms.
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