Critics slam PrettyLittleThing for using size 16 models to advertise bikini range saying ‘obesity shouldn’t be promoted’
Body size has been in the spotlight recently following Tess Holliday's Cosmopolitan cover
ONLINE clothing retailer PrettyLittleThing has been slammed by critics for promoting an 'unhealthy’ image by using a number of plus sized models.
The online store, which recently unveiled a collaboration with Ashley Graham, stocks sizes ranging from four to 28.
But the brand has been criticised after sharing a number of photos on their Instagram page featuring plus-size models.
In one snap, LA-based model Tabria Majors, who wears a UK size 18-20, poses in a bikini alongside US model Kayla Jane, 19, who has a 33 inch waist and 52 inch hips.
They captioned it: “TWIN SET 😍 Dolls & bringin' the FIRE in the Yellow crinkle bikini & Multi waffle bikini.”
Both girls are signed to modelling agencies, Kayla with Wilhelmina Models and Tabria with Natural Model Management, but people still criticised their size as unhealthy.
One person said: “Ugh. the unhealthiness jumped out in this pic.”
Another agreed, saying: “This is unhealthy.”
A third said: “Give them mad props for wearing these suits but honestly it’s not appealing on them.”
This person posted: “I’m reminding them about their unhealthy diet.”
Many posts featuring plus-size models on their Instagram page have attracted the same criticism.
Although other people praised both the models and the online retailer for their body positivity message.
Another photo featuring 26-year-old model , who wears a size 18, was slammed by critics.
One person said: “It’s pretty unhealthy to be this fat no hard feelings.”
Another commented: “Obesity is a serious health concern and it should not be advocated for?”
It’s a similar story across their entire page, with a photo of , signed to Wilhelmina Models, also criticised.
People said: “As a qualified HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL I would say that her BMI would fall under morbid obesity.”
Another commented: “And again obesity should not be promoted! She is a beautiful girl but she is big!”
This person added: "She is too fat not healthy.”
Model had the same treatment online, with a photo of her in a pink dress attracting similar comments.
One person said: “I’m tired of seeing morbidly obese people marketed as “the norm”."
And people waded into the argument online, with this person stating: “She isn't calling her ugly she is just saying being obese is not healthy and it shouldn't be promoted as if it was.”
Not everyone agreed with the unhealthy comments, with one person saying: “So beautiful. So happy more and more brands are advertising and using these models.
“I don’t like calling them plus size. That’s their body we are talking about.
“They are beautiful in every size and shape.”
Another comment said: "I dont know how you can call her obese? Shes a curvy girl not fat there is a difference."
And this person added: "Wtf is wrong with everyone? This is a person wearing a dress.
"Who cares about anything else? She likes it, feels good in it. The end. Buy it or don't buy it."
In response to the comments, a statement from PrettyLittleThing said: “At PrettyLittleThing we are all about celebrating body diversity and we believe everybody is beautiful.
“We are proud to be able to offer a clothing range which caters from a size 4 to 28 and we pride ourselves on using all different body types and sizes in our campaigns.”
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