Glassons deserved a bit of stick for the use of mannequins so skinny their ribs were showing, writes Gillespie. Photo / NZME.
Glassons deserved a bit of stick for the use of mannequins so skinny their ribs were showing, writes Gillespie. Photo / NZME.
Spare a thought for women's clothing retailer Glassons, which has suffered the sharp edge and blunt force of social media outrage over the past week or two.
Of course, Glassons deserved a bit of stick for the use of mannequins so skinny their ribs were showing. Maybe such models representsome of the women and girls who shop there, and you're never going to be able to represent all shapes and sizes of customer, but they should have known they'd be in for some grief over it.
Despite initially defending use of the mannequins (apparently their BMI put them within a healthy weight range) the company eventually came to its senses, removed them and apologised.
Problem is, the controversy gave a great launch platform for yet another outpouring of outrage.
Animal rights group SAFE this week attacked Glassons over its ad featuring a young woman riding a bull. SAFE posted on its Facebook page asking people to complain directly to Glassons and asked the retailer to remove the ad because it was "glamorising the abuse of animals".
Because of the mannequin controversy, ears pricked up at this latest supposed outrage.
I admire SAFE - they do some great work, especially in challenging cruel, inhumane practices. But I think Glassons are a bit hard done by in this case and if it hadn't been for the mannequin issue it wouldn't have garnered the attention it has.
It's one thing to call out illegal and sickening behaviour, but it's another to decry the depiction of a legal activity that thousands of New Zealanders take part in and/or enjoy every year. New Zealand's Rodeo Cowboys Association even works with the SPCA when it comes to its events.
There will be those who agree with SAFE about the Glassons ad, but would they also take part in a social media campaign against a company that had adverts featuring people fishing or hunting?
Save it for worse abuses - don't cry wolf, or we'll cry bull.
