THE BOSS of a popular online clothing retailer says she gets over 100 vile comments a day from trolls slamming her models for being “too fat”.
Chief executive Brigitte Read says the models, who represent a diverse range of sizes from 4 to 38, are frequently subjected to “hateful” online comments about their weight.
Only eight cases warranted an investigation, and none involved Snag[/caption]
Some critics argue there is a double standard, as no similar actions have been taken against ads featuring plus-size models[/caption]
This Next advert was banned as the shot and angle made the model appear too thin[/caption]
The debate surrounding the portrayal of body size in advertising has been reignited after the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned a Next advert featuring a model deemed “unhealthily thin.”
Some critics argue there is a double standard, as no similar actions have been taken against ads featuring plus-size models.
The ASA, however, maintains that societal pressures and aspirations towards thinness are a key factor in its decisions.
In 2024, the ASA received 61 complaints regarding models’ weight in adverts, with the majority concerning underweight models.
Only eight cases warranted an investigation, and none involved Snag.
Catherine Thom, a 36-year-old from Edinburgh, is among those questioning the perceived inconsistency in advertising regulations.
After purchasing from Snag during her pregnancy, she says she was “bombarded with images of obese girls in tights” on social media.
“I see Snag tights plastering these morbidly obese people all over social media,” she says.
“How is that allowed when the Next model isn’t?
“There should be fairness, not politically correct body positivity.
“Adverts normalizing an unhealthy weight, whether obese or underweight, are equally harmful.”
Snag’s founder Ms Read strongly disagrees, arguing that banning plus-size models is reflective of “fat phobia” in society.
She believes that shaming people for their weight does more harm than good.
“Fat people exist, they’re equally as valid as thin people,” she states.
“They buy clothes and need to see what they look like on people that resemble them.
“Shaming fat people doesn’t help them lose weight, it impacts their mental and physical health.”
Snag employs 12 staff members solely to moderate social media, removing negative comments and promoting body positivity.
Sophie Scott, a 27-year-old salon owner from Lossiemouth, Scotland, has modelled for Snag and faced both praise and criticism for her body size.
“I get either ‘you’re so beautiful’ or ‘you need to lose weight,” she says.
“When I started modelling, I was a size 30.”
Now, even after losing weight, I still get hate comments because for some people, it will never be enough.”
Scott dismisses claims that she promotes an unhealthy lifestyle, pointing out that fitness is not solely determined by appearance.
“People assume things about me without knowing my activity levels.
“When I receive messages from people saying ‘you’ve inspired me to wear what I want,’ it outweighs every hate comment.”
Fashion journalist Victoria Moss believes the debate highlights how uncommon it is to see larger bodies in advertising.
“Even plus-size sections on retailer websites often feature models who are a size 14/16, which is actually the UK average,” she explains.
“The issue isn’t the models’ size but the context.
Seeing thin models can encourage eating disorders, but no one looks at a plus-size model and decides to gain weight.”
The ASA’s Jess Tye clarifies that the watchdog assesses advertisements based on whether they promote unhealthy body aspirations.
“An advert could be investigated if it encourages people to strive for an unhealthy body weight.
However, simply using a model relevant to the brand’s size range isn’t grounds for an investigation,” she says.
“Thinness is often seen as aspirational in the UK, whereas being overweight is not viewed in the same way.”
Scott dismisses claims that she promotes an unhealthy lifestyle, pointing out that fitness is not solely determined by appearance[/caption]
Sophie Scott, a 27-year-old salon owner from Lossiemouth, Scotland, has modelled for Snag and faced both praise and criticism for her body size[/caption]
