Fashion Brand
Pakistani actress Ushna Shah, known for her candid demeanor, has once again emerged as a vocal advocate, this time condemning the renowned fashion brand Zara for its insensitive photoshoot depicting scenes reminiscent of the Palestinian struggle. Shah’s strong reaction questioned the appropriateness of continuing to wear existing Zara clothes and declared her decision to cease future purchases from the brand.
Zara’s controversial photoshoot featured imagery including small bodies wrapped in white cloth resembling Muslim burial shrouds, an upside-down map resembling Palestine, rubble, and statues with missing limbs. The depiction sparked widespread outrage on social media, prompting Zara to delete an image where a model carried a mannequin wrapped in white—a stark representation reminiscent of Palestinian mothers hugging their deceased children before burial.
In response to the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians, including many children, have lost their lives due to the Israeli offensive, netizens condemned Zara’s insensitivity. The fashion brand was accused of exploiting the ongoing crisis for a marketing campaign.
Ushna Shah’s principled stance in support of Palestine is not new, as she previously used her platform to expose the misinformation campaign by Western media regarding the Palestinian genocide perpetrated by Israel. However, Shah is not alone in her criticism, as social media erupted with condemnation for Zara’s ill-timed and inconsiderate photoshoot.
One user expressed being “beyond disgusted” with Zara, accusing the brand of using the “genocide of people in Palestine” for a marketing campaign.
Another user described it as the “Gaza genocide collection.”
The collective backlash on social media emphasizes the growing importance of holding influential brands accountable for their actions, particularly when they touch on sensitive geopolitical issues.
