‘Boycott Zara’ calls after its latest campaign: here’s why

Fashion retailer Zara has come under fire for its latest “The Jacket” campaign, which triggered a wave of global outrage and controversy on social media.

The highly controversial ad features model Kristen McMenamy carrying a mannequin draped in white cloth, while other mannequins appear to be without any limbs. These posts have been highly criticized and condemned by the internet for their morbid similarities to the bodies of Palestinians killed during Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza. Numerous posts have circulated online drawing parallels between her standing in the wooden box and pictures of corpses and coffins from Gaza. Some users have also pointed out how the ad campaign showcased plywood boards which resembled the map of Palestine.

The hashtag #BoycottZara is now trending on X, formerly Twitter, with accusations ranging from harmful ignorance to insensitivity to active exploitation of Palestinian suffering and tragedy for their own commercial gain.

“Marketing over a #genocide.  New low. Our pain isn’t for sale. Shame @ZARA. #boycottZara,” a comment read. Another user commented, “The most disgusting propaganda campaign ever inspired by the killing of Palestinians and the destruction of their homes. Shame on you.”

 

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Marketing over a #genocide.

New low. Our pain isn’t for sale.

Shame @ZARA. #boycottZara pic.twitter.com/PHWBrjyfKQ

— Enaam S. (@AnamSalem) December 9, 2023

This hole in the wall looks like the map of Palestine upside down , coincidence? I think not pic.twitter.com/FpOcheLxq5

— Sinngle Bell ???????????????? (@Sinngle_Bell) December 9, 2023

 

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Posts have also circulated with harmful remarks made by some of Zara’s top executives. “Maybe if your people were educated then they wouldn’t blow up the hospitals and schools that Israel helped to pay for in Gaza” Zara’s head designer, Vanessa Perilman, in 2021.

Additionally, this has also sparked increased awareness about Zara’s exploitation of Uyghur forced labor, with users pointing out the connection between Zara’s consistent use of human suffering and tragedy for profit.

While Zara deleted its posts featuring the images, it has yet to issue a response and apology regarding the controversy despite public outrage.