Victoria Beckham Has Sparked Controversy With a New Ad Campaign
Victoria Beckham is facing backlash after releasing a new advertisement on social media last week. The photo is an ad for the designer's eyewear line, but many are more focused on the model, 29-year-old Giedre Dukauskaite, saying her weight could be promoting unhealthy beauty ideals.
While many on Twitter pointed out that images of unhealthy models can be detrimental to the mental health of young women who may try to emulate an unattainable weight, others also suggested that it can be just as damaging to body shame a naturally thin person. "This is an irresponsible way to promote your product," wrote one Twitter user. "This model may be naturally this thin. She may not be. But the young girls who watch you will try to emulate the look, and it is not natural for most of them." Another chimed in, "There is a certain level of responsibility placed on the fashion industry since they are trend setters. It is unfortunately dangerous to use super thin models (regardless of how they got that way) since girls will ty to emulate in unhealthy ways."
The controversy comes at a time where the fashion industry at large is reevaluating guidelines around model health. In May 2017, a French law banning underweight models from working officially went into effect. Under the ruling, models must provide employers with a certificate of health issued by a doctor and those companies who do not comply could face up to $82,000 in fines and six months in jail. The Council of Fashion Designers of America also issued guidelines for American designers in 2017, which included statements imploring designers to "be inclusive of racial diversity" and to identify warning signs of models with eating disorders.
The former Posh Spice is no stranger to controversial advertisements. Last year, a restaurant in Wallsend, England, created an offensive ad, which featured Beckham's likeness with a sash draped over her body that read "Anorexic Fashion Icon" to promote a new "Victoria Beckham Thin Crust" pizza.
See some of the social media responses to Victoria Beckham's ad, below.
Related: Victoria Beckham’s Target Collection Is the First Time Plus-Size Will Be Stocked in Stores
