Spanish fashion group Zara has taken its latest campaign offline after it was heavily criticized on social media. The company promoted its latest collection, “Collection 04,” with images showing mannequins wrapped in linen while others appeared to be covered in plastic, wooden boxes and concrete rubble.
For many, the campaign’s images brought to mind the image of lifeless bodies in Israel and Palestine. There was even speculation on social media that one of the pieces of concrete was in the shape of the map of Palestine. People are therefore calling for a boycott of Zara.
“The campaign, conceived in July and photographed in September, features a series of images of unfinished sculptures in a sculptor’s studio and was created with the sole aim of showcasing artistic clothing in an artistic context,” it said in a statement Zara’s official Instagram page, with which the brand responds to the criticism. “Unfortunately, some customers felt offended by these images, which have now been removed, and saw them as something far removed from what was intended when they were created.”
Zara added that it regretted the misunderstanding and reiterated that the company has “deep respect” for all people. The collection will continue to be sold as usual, only the images will be taken offline.