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UK: Topshop pulls super-thin model from online advertising

Date: 19 Jul 2011

Retailer Topshop has withdrawn images of 18 year old model Codie Young following criticisms over the use of 'size zero' models encouraging unhealthy body stereotypes and fuelling eating disorders.

The model had been used for the company's online advertising of its fashion range. Young is a UK size 8, and was forced to deny claims that she suffered anorexia. Responding to comments that she looked ill she said the comments were extremely hurtful, saying that she was "naturally skinny."

Topshop supported the model in a statement, saying "Topshop is confident that Codie is a healthy young woman and we do not feel it necessary to remove her from our imagery based on your feature. However we do recognise regretfully that the angle this image has been shot at may accentuate Codie's proportions making her head look bigger and neck longer in proportion to her body".

What the Topshop statement didn't say was that Photoshop artists routinely 'improve' model's images, often making changes such as slimming stomachs, lengthening necks and making heads and eyes specifically bigger.

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