GUWAHATI: Spanish multinational fashion brand Zara is currently under fire as the hashtag #BoycottZara trends across various social media platforms.
The uproar comes in response to the release of photographs from their latest collection, titled 'The Jacket,'.
The controversial images showcase a model holding a mannequin wrapped in white plastic, drawing immediate criticism for the resemblance to scenes of devastation in Gaza resulting from airstrikes by the Israeli military.
Users on social media platforms quickly juxtaposed Zara's photos with real-life pictures of women mourning their children killed in the Gaza bombings.
One user expressed their disapproval, stating, "It doesn’t even look good, artistic, or fashionable. Clearly, this is a staged shoot for your vile agenda to mock, normalize, or make genocide on trend. Never will we ever buy from Zara again." Another commented, "How disgusting will you be to support the massacre under the title of 'art'?"
Despite Zara removing the original post that ignited the controversy on Instagram, remnants of the shoot are still posted on the platform.
Users continue to share and criticise the images, accusing the brand of insensitivity and capitalising on a tragic situation for artistic purposes.
The backdrop and props used in the photographs are particularly scrutinised, with netizens pointing out the striking similarities to the bombings in Gaza. The fashion brand has yet to release an official statement addressing the controversy.
Recent reports from Gaza's government media office stated that an estimated 5,500 children have been killed in the Gaza Strip since October 7.
The Israeli military's widespread airstrikes have led to hundreds more reported missing, possibly trapped under the rubble. Shockingly, one child in Gaza has been reported killed every 10 minutes on average since October 7.
The controversy surrounding Zara ought to spark a broader conversation about the intersection of fashion, art, and the ethical responsibility of brands in addressing sensitive geopolitical issues.