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SALT LAKE CITY — The clothing store, The Gap, is getting criticism from around the internet after tweeting a picture with an ultra-thin model. The store tweeted a photo with the slim dark-haried model wearing a plaid green shirt-dress with the caption “Dress up your days in pastel plaid. #since1969.”
People all over the internet instantly began attacking Gap. One person commented, “Seriously, @Gap? In what world do people look like this? Perhaps you could select models who represent regular gals & not a skeletor ghost.”
Other commenters attacked the model calling her malnourished, ill and sad. Another person tweeted that she “needs a hamburger and some sunlight.”
Gap released a response to PEOPLE following the controversy surrounding the model, “Our intentions have always been to celebrate diversity in our marketing and champion people for who they are," Gap Inc. spokesperson Edie Kissko said, "upon reflection, we understand the sensitivity surround this photograph. Customer feedback is important to us and we think this is a valuable conversation to learn from."
While the majority of people don’t approve of thin Gap model, many are supporting her saying that shaming her for being thin is just as hurtful as telling someone they need to lose weight.
As a result of the controversial photo, Gap left their original tweet up but also tweeted a new picture of the plaid shirt-dress but choosing to model the dress on a hanger.
On the company’s Instagram, the same photo of the dress on the hanger was posted. Gap’s online store features the dress being modeled by a different woman that is noticeably not as thin. Contact Lindsey at lindspeterson4@gmail.com or on Twitter @LindsPetey.
