As international pressure to stop Israel’s assault in Gaza and the West Bank grows, fast fashion retailer Zara has sparked fresh controversy with its latest advertising campaign. The Spanish store posted images of the newest Zara Atelier collection, which features American model Kristen McMenamy, on its official social media accounts.
In the advertisement, McMenamy is shown standing in a chamber filled with mannequins shrouded in white shrouds and surrounded by debris. Zara’s most recent offering is a “limited edition collection” that honors the brand’s “commitment to craftsmanship and passion for artistic expression,” according to the descriptions that go with the photos. On the other hand, online commenters claim that the advertisement looks a lot like pictures of Palestinians living under Israeli occupation.
ZARA ATELIER. Collection 04_The Jacket
A limited edition collection from the house celebrating our commitment to craftsmanship and passion for artistic expression. https://t.co/EiUO0avB4w pic.twitter.com/Mz2x6pH7ho— ZARA (@ZARA) December 7, 2023
Zara has not responded to the allegations with an official comment. The most contentious image from the campaign, which showed McMenamy clutching a “body” covered in white blankets, seems to have been taken down from the label’s X and Instagram accounts.
“The latest Zara campaign depicts what appears to be dead bodies wrapped in white body bags, reminiscent of traditional Muslim burial attire, along with rocks, dust, and rubble,” a user on X (previously Twitter) said. How could they have been thinking? At this stage, this is deliberate. “And Zara wins the prize for being the most tone-deaf brand of the year. Another objected, “They’re using images of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people to sell their fast fashion brand of clothes.”
The latest Zara campaign depicts what appears to be dead bodies wrapped in white body bags, reminiscent of traditional Muslim burial attire, as well rocks, dust and rubble.
Wtf were they thinking? This is intentional atp pic.twitter.com/IjH844e8jE— ➳❥ (@VANITYxVAULT) December 9, 2023
call me insane but ZARA ’s new collection can’t be just a coincidence like there’s no way this is the advertising during these times when there’s a genocide going on pic.twitter.com/Coy3bB8bQp
— christian allister’s wife (@e_crimina1) December 9, 2023
been telling people to boycott the ghouls over at @ZARA ever since i found out they had a special code for when black people went into their stores, to make sure we “wouldn’t steal.” now look at their newest collection. there is no way in hell this sick shit isn’t intentional. pic.twitter.com/AmBMu1jq5M
— سماح (@samah_fadil) December 9, 2023
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