Ah, Zara.
Just when you thought their PR nightmares were confined to poorly timed window displays and questionable cultural appropriation, they’ve gone and served us a piping hot platter of controversy, complete with a side of cringe.
In their latest attempt at fashion forwardness, Zara decided that a T-shirt for young girls emblazoned with the phrases “The perfect snack” and “Take a bite” was a solid idea.
Because nothing screams empowerment like encouraging your daughter to think of herself as a tasty morsel, right?
I can only assume the meeting went something like this: *“Let’s create a line that says girls are powerful!”
“Nah, let’s just stick with suggesting they’re edible.”
To be fair, maybe they were just trying to get on the keto bandwagon, but I digress.
A Trend That’s Leaving a Bad Taste
Zara’s latest faux pas isn’t just about a T-shirt—it’s a symptom of a much larger issue in children’s fashion.
The industry’s seemingly endless fascination with gendered clothing that often verges on the inappropriate has been giving parents and advocates a headache for years.
And let’s be real, Zara. You’re not the first brand to fall into this trap, but you’ve certainly made a splash.
This isn’t just about one brand making a mistake; it’s about an entire industry that needs to rethink how it markets to children.
PR 101: When in Doubt, Don’t
As someone who’s spent more time in boardrooms than a Zara T-shirt spends on a clearance rack, let me share a bit of advice for the future: when in doubt, just don’t.
Don’t hit “print” on that design until you’ve asked yourself whether it’s going to make parents rush to the counter or rush to Twitter in outrage.
Spoiler alert: It’s usually the latter.
And for the love of good PR, if you do find yourself in hot water (or, in this case, a boiling pot of public scorn), own it.
Apologise, pull the product, and use the moment to make a meaningful change.
Because nothing says “We’ve learnt our lesson” like actually learning a lesson.
Final Bite
So, Zara, here’s a bit of food for thought: Let’s aim higher, shall we? The world needs a fashion industry that’s as forward-thinking in its ethics as it is in its designs. Until then, the rest of us will be over here, serving up the critique—no side dishes required.
Greg