Global fashion giant Zara has withdrawn a contentious ad campaign following calls for a boycott from pro-Palestine activists. The campaign, titled "The Jacket," featured statues with missing limbs, mannequins wrapped in white sheets, and elements such as rocks, rubble, and a cardboard cutout resembling an upside-down map of Palestine.
In a statement issued days after the controversy first emerged, Zara said: "Unfortunately, some customers felt offended by these images, which have now been removed, and saw in them something far from what was intended when they were created."
"Zara regrets that misunderstanding and we reaffirm our deep respect towards everyone."
Model Kristen McMenamy posed alongside the controversial mannequins, wrapped in white cloth and plastic. The images sparked public outrage, with the hashtag #BoycottZara trending on social media. Zara's Instagram was flooded with comments featuring the Palestinian flag and calls for a boycott.
Inditex, the parent company of Zara, clarified to Al Jazeera that the removal of the ad was a routine content refresh and that the photos were taken in September, predating the Israel-Hamas war that began on Oct. 7. The company mentioned that the campaign, inspired by historical men's tailoring, was conceived in July.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has received 110 complaints related to Zara's campaign and is currently reviewing the matter.
