Around the world, calls for an end to Israel’s aggression in Gaza and the West Bank are growing stronger. Meanwhile, Zara’s new ad campaign has caused a new wave of debate. The Spanish store shared pictures of the newest Zara Atelier line with American model Kristen McMenamy on its official social media pages.
In the ad, McMenamy is shown standing in a room with mannequins wrapped in white cloths and surrounded by broken glass. It says in the posts’ captions that Zara’s newest collection is a “limited edition” honoring the brand’s “commitment to craftsmanship and passion for artistic expression.” However, some people on the internet say that the ad looks a lot like pictures of Palestinians living under Israeli rule.
https://twitter.com/ZARA/status/1732678848947638345?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1732678848947638345%7Ctwgr%5Eb20952631d89dacd0cfa6f52d24fa99167b59d3b%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F2449533%2Fnot-an-oversight-internet-accuses-fashion-label-zara-of-exploiting-gaza-genocide-for-ad-campaign
Zara has not made an official comment about the claims. The most controversial ad picture, though, of McMenamy holding a “body” wrapped in white sheets, seems to have been taken down from the label’s Instagram and X accounts.
On X (formerly Twitter), someone wrote, “The latest Zara campaign shows what look like dead bodies wrapped in white body bags, which is typical Muslim burial attire. The images also include rocks, dust, and rubble.” Why did they do that? At this point, this is done on purpose.” “Zara is the brand of the year for not understanding what people are saying.” Using pictures of Israel’s killing of Palestinians as a way to sell their fast fashion brand of clothes,” said someone else.
The latest Zara campaign depicts what appears to be dead bodies wrapped in white body bags, reminiscent of traditional Muslim burial attire, as well rocks, dust and rubble.
Wtf were they thinking? This is intentional atp pic.twitter.com/IjH844e8jE— ➳❥ (@VintageVault8) December 9, 2023
And the award for most tone deaf brand of the year goes to @ZARA 🤮
🚨Using imagery of Israel’s genocide of Palestinians to sell their fast fashion brand of clothing. pic.twitter.com/H1vkAorfuC
— AHMED | أحمد (@ASE) December 9, 2023
“Call me crazy, but Zara’s new collection can’t just be a coincidence like there’s no way this is the advertising at this time when there’s a genocide going on,” said an X user who was skeptical about the campaign’s purpose. Because of the widespread anger, people are calling for a boycott of Zara.
https://twitter.com/e_crimina1/status/1733399072730644513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1733399072730644513%7Ctwgr%5E9d8f5ddc6edb1d1df7ce21ae2881034bc9319200%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F2449533%2Fnot-an-oversight-internet-accuses-fashion-label-zara-of-exploiting-gaza-genocide-for-ad-campaign
“Don’t buy from Zara if you haven’t already! “They used the killing in Gaza to promote their new collection,” said one user on X. In addition to this new campaign, another post said that the label was profiling customers based on their race to stop them from shoplifting.
Boycott Zara if you haven’t yet!
They announced their new collection using the genocide in #Gaza pic.twitter.com/ISZzwO7PgR
— The Palestinian (@InsiderWorld_1) December 9, 2023
It said, “I’ve been telling people to avoid Zara ever since I learned that they have a special code for black people who go to their shops to make sure we “don’t steal.” Take a look at their newest line. “There’s no way this sick stuff isn’t planned.”
been telling people to boycott the ghouls over at @ZARA ever since i found out they had a special code for when black people went into their stores, to make sure we "wouldn't steal." now look at their newest collection. there is no way in hell this sick shit isn't intentional. pic.twitter.com/AmBMu1jq5M
— سماح | 🧚🏾♀️support palestinians (@samah_fadil) December 9, 2023
Someone else said that calls to stop buying Zara products are nothing new. Zara just put out this ad campaign that uses the death and damage in Gaza to sell cheap, quick-fashion items. This is not a mistake. Zara has a history of supporting extremism in Israel, and last year, socially conscious Israelis even stopped shopping there.
‼️BOYCOTT‼️
ZARA just launched this ad campaign, which uses the death & destruction in Gaza to sell their low-quality, fast fashion items. This isn't an oversight. Zara has a history of supporting Israeli extremism & was even boycotted by socially-conscious Israelis last year. pic.twitter.com/mnZhtHWIzj
— Ortho PA (@Ortho_PA_) December 9, 2023