Topshop size zero controversial

Fashion retail giant Topshop is forced to remove a campaign image of a ‘size zero’ model from its website. The British fashion company is involved in a 'size zero' discussion following the protest from eating disorder campaigners about the

controversial image featuring a super skinny model.

The image pictures model Codie Young, who appears to have a remarkably thin frame and a head not in proportion with her body. When the pictured of Young was published online, Topshop received angry responses from eating disorder groups. Topshop has been asked to remove the image and replace it with another one. In the past owner sir Philip Green pledged not to use size zero models for any of his campaigns. The photograph of Young in a blue dotted blouse is replaced by another one of her wearing a red dress and yellow coat.

The 18 year old Australian born model said she is naturally that skinny. Young complained on her blog, and said she is appalled that she’s talked about whether she’s not a real person. Young explains her father is 6ft 5in tall and skinny, and her mother is skinny.

On her blog she wrote: “Throughout my entire childhood I was called anorexic and people would ask if I was bulimic. You know what, some people are just naturally skinny and even if I tried to put on weight it wouldn’t matter, because it doesn’t matter what I eat, I don’t put it on. I love food. And finally, yes okay I maybe am American size 0-2 and a UK size eight, so what. There are overweight/obese people who are a size 18 but no one says anything to them because you don’t want to offend them.”

The size zero discussion is something the fashion industry needs to act upon. A size zero in the US is a size 4 in the UK, which is sold at many fashion retailers besides Topshop. Whether the size is too small, we have to wonder as we've all been a size 4 at some stage. Topshop offers fashion with a focus on teenagers, and early teens do have a size four, which is nothing to worry about. It becomes disturbing when grown ups aim for a size zero, a dress size that has become a distant memory.

Image: Topshop

Source: Daily Mail and Young blog