Lifestyle

People Are Not Happy About This Super Skinny Model Gap Just Used In New Ad (Photo)

by Alexia LaFata
Stocksy

A photo Gap tweeted to its 433,000 followers has sparked controversy.

The photo features a very thin woman sporting a plaid dress with the caption "Dress up your days in pastel plaid. #since1969."

The link in the tweet goes right to the Gap website, which features the dress worn by a different, more filled-out model.

Dress up your days in pastel plaid. #since1969 http://t.co/MahfoxlM5i pic.twitter.com/xWWSxyImnA — Gap (@Gap) August 4, 2014

Lots of Twitter users were quick to offer criticism for the model's tiny frame.

reason = malnourished model RT @MCMVIII This looks so sad for some reason RT @Gap: Dress up your days in pastel plaid pic.twitter.com/2PDOUU9qy2 — Lars Thomsen (@SirLDot) August 4, 2014
@Gap bone rack model. Look at the size of her head in proportion to her cadaver like body. Shame on you! — sailsmart (@sailsmart) August 4, 2014
@kaleybluth @Gap omg she looks like a concentration camp inhabitant wtf — Shoshana (@shoshpd) August 5, 2014
@Gap Eating disorders are deadly diseases. This model needs help, promoting thin ideal is dangerous.disappointed,Gap. @jugglingjenn @MAED — faith kandel yesner (@faithngd) August 6, 2014

Others spoke in support of the model, putting down criticisms of her body that might really be natural.

@danielralston dobt let the haters get to you. Beauty comes in all sizes. I support her and her strength to face the idiots #headheldhigh — Jason Grass (@jgrass1) August 6, 2014
@Gap Why is everyone so quick to call a skinny woman anorexic? When you are just built thin, no amount of binge eating changes your size. — Sarah Chamberlain (@SBChambe) August 6, 2014
@frantampon @Gap No models don't go through "this". Rare models have eating problems. Most don't. We we're just those lanky girls in hs. — Rebecca Fry (@barrebabe13) August 7, 2014
@KJ041912 @AndreaKcc My point is how do you know this is unhealthy for this model? She may eat like a horse w a fast metabolism. — Jen (@JenniferSiegal) August 7, 2014

It's interesting that Gap used a different model, who is 5-foot-10 with a 25-inch waist, 35-inch hip, and wears a regular size small, on their website, but Gap refuses to specifically comment on the matter or delete the original tweet.

Spokesperson Edie Kissko told "TODAY,"

Our intentions have always been to celebrate diversity in our marketing and champion people for who they are. 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.

Is skinny-shaming as harmful as fat-shaming? It is indeed a valuable conversation to have.

H/T: Daily Mail, Photo Courtesy: Gap