ASA Bans Nasty Gal Ads for Featuring Underweight Model

  • Three TV ads for online retailer Nasty Gal banned by ASA due to featuring an ‘unhealthily thin’ model
  • ASA received complaints from 22 people who believed the model looked ‘unhealthily thin’
  • Nasty Gal claimed the model was a UK size eight and within healthy weight range according to NHS guidelines

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned three TV advertisements for online retailer Nasty Gal after receiving complaints about an ‘unhealthily thin’ model featured in the ads. The ASA assessed that while the female model generally appeared to be proportionate, specific scenes drew attention to her slimness. Complainants argued that she looked unhealthily thin and deemed the ads socially irresponsible. Nasty Gal responded by stating the model weighed 134lbs and was 178cm tall with a BMI of 18.8, which falls within the healthy weight range according to National Health Service (NHS) guidelines.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about the banning of three TV advertisements by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for featuring an underweight model, includes quotes from both the ASA’s assessment and the retailer’s response, and references the BMI of the model in question. However, it could be improved by providing more context about the specific scenes that drew attention to her slimness and the NHS guidelines on healthy weight ranges.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about the banning of TV advertisements featuring an underweight model and the retailer’s response, but it could have included more analysis or discussion on the broader implications of such ads in society and their potential impact on viewers.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Nasty Girl (online retailer)
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses an event that impacts the online retailer Nasty Girl and its advertising, which could potentially affect its brand image and sales.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event in the text, but the discussion about the model’s appearance may be considered socially irresponsible by some.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk