Ralph Lauren Deserves a Consumer Boycott

A stunning Ralph Lauren model was fired after her agency was told the Size 2 woman was unable to fit into their sample clothes.

That was in April, two weeks ago a “photo-shopped” advertisement featuring the beautiful model, Filippa Hamilton, suddenly appeared in Japan. The photograph was so grossly distorted that the woman appeared unreal, emaciated and even ill.

On Wednesday, a Ralph Lauren spokesman issued the following statement related to the advertisement debacle: “For over 42 years, we have built a brand based on quality and integrity. After further investigation, we have learned that we are responsible for the poor imaging and retouching that resulted in a very distorted image of a woman's body. We have addressed the problem and going forward will take every precaution to ensure that the calibre of our artwork represents our brand appropriately.”

The Ralph Lauren spokesman has denied that Hamilton was fired because of her weight. Polo Ralph Lauren said in a statement that Hamilton is a "beautiful and healthy" woman but their relationship ended "as a result of her inability to meet the obligations under her contract with us."

"The image in question was mistakenly released and used in a department store in Japan and was not the approved image which ran in the U.S. We take full responsibility," the statement said. "This error has absolutely no connection to our relationship with Filippa Hamilton."

The 5-foot-10, 120-pound Hamilton told the Today Show’s Ann Curry that she was amazed to see her body digitally distorted for Ralph Lauren Blue Label, and was also personally hurt.

"It's very sad," said an emotional Hamilton, 23, who has worked for Ralph Lauren since about 2002. “They were like my second family.”

Hamilton's lawyer, Geoffrey Menin, said the advertising image is "a gross distortion of how she really looks and which we fear will be extremely damaging to her...who would want to hire a woman who looks like that?"

Menin added that the advertisement also harms all women who might aspire to look like that impossible image. Hamilton agreed, saying she is also concerned about its impact on the public.

"I think they owe American women an apology, a big apology," she said. "I'm very proud of what I look like, and I think a role model should look healthy.”

(This is a perfect example of why so many women have body image problems, and girls and young women develop anorexia. Shame on Ralph Lauren! Women across the nation should BOYCOTT this brand!)