Zara Responds To Model Criticism Too Thin And Unhealthy, Immediately Removes Ads

Zara's model is considered too thin and unhealthy (Photo: Doc. Zara)

JAKARTA - International brand fashion Zara has finally responded to criticism regarding their advertisements that they are considered to be displaying models with too thin bodies that they are considered unhealthy.

On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), an independent ad supervisory agency in the UK, urged Zara to remove two advertisements for oversized dress products and shirts.

Both advertisements are considered to have violated industry standards because they display models with prominent celon bones and a body proportion that looks unhealthy.

According to Matthew Wilson, ASA's Media and Public Relations Manager, there are four ads reported by the public. However, those two most highlighted ads were eventually requested to be removed.

In response to this, on Monday, August 11, Zara issued an official statement.

"We noted ASA's decision regarding individual complaints about two pictures on our website, which we immediately deleted as soon as ASA notified," Zara's spokesman said, quoted from the People page.

"We are committed to the content that is responsible for following the guidance and strict control in the selection and photo shoot of the model, including the selection of images used," he continued.

Zara also confirmed that they followed the recommendations from the UK Model Health Inquiry, including the model's obligation to provide medical certificates that prove their health.

"We also run this commitment in this case. We also ensure that the work environment is backstage healthy according to these recommendations," Zara added.

ASA detailed that one of the ads removed was for the ZW Collection Oversized Pocket Shirt coloroyster-white. The low neck cut makes the model's spine a center of attention, plus poses that make the arm look very slim.

The second ad is for the Voluminous Combined Short Dress color ecru (off-white). The photo is assessed to highlight the legs of a very thin model and the position of the arm that makes the proportion of the body look out of balance. The tightened hairset of the model also makes his face look thin and concave.

Zara claims that the two models have a history of working with large fashion brands and have submitted medical certificates as proof of health. They confirmed that the photo was not modified other than a slight adjustment of lighting and color.

As a follow-up, Zara has removed both photos from the UK website, even completely deleting the oversized shirt product page.

The year 2025 is also a celebration of Zara's 50th anniversary. In May, they launched a special campaign by cooperating with a number of well-known supermodels as part of the celebration of the half-century existence of this brand in the fashion industry.