ZARA ADS BANNED IN UK FOR PROMOTING ‘UNHEALTHILY THIN’ BODY IMAGE
- DE MODE
- 3 days ago
- 1 min read
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE
Article Published on: 13TH AUG 2025 | www.demodemagazine.com
Britain’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned two Zara adverts after ruling they portrayed models who appeared “unhealthily thin,” calling the images “irresponsible.” The ads, featured on Zara’s website in May, prompted a complaint that triggered the investigation.
In one image, a model’s protruding collarbones, accentuated by her pose and styling, gave her a very slim appearance. Another showed a model with a slicked-back hairstyle, where lighting and clothing choices made her look “slightly gaunt” and “noticeably thin.”
The ASA concluded that both ads breached social responsibility rules and ordered they must not appear again in the same form.
Zara responded by stating that the models were medically certified as healthy, in accordance with UK guidelines, and that only minor lighting and colour adjustments were made. The brand also emphasised it follows strict selection and photography protocols. The ads were removed once Zara was notified of the complaint.