Ralph Lauren Photoshopped Ad Saga - The Fashion House Takes Responsiblity for Distorted Model Image

by Laura Kenney (Subscribe to Laura Kenney's posts)
Posted Oct 9th 2009 at 2:00AM

The picture that caused the controversy.

We previously reported on the escalating online scandal over a Ralph Lauren advertisement featuring a model purportedly whittled down to unhealthy proportions.

Our question was simple: Was Ralph Lauren responsible for distorting the image of longtime model Filippa Hamilton-Palmstierna to such an extreme that her head appeared bigger than her waistline, or was the advertisement altered by an anonymous contributor to Photoshop Disasters, where it first appeared.

It turns out that Ralph Lauren is indeed responsible for the ad. The fashion house has released a statement to Access Hollywood saying the following:

"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 caliber of our artwork represents our brand appropriately," the statement concluded.

The image first came to light when Boing Boing picked up the story, and the legal team at Ralph Lauren accused the website of copyright infringement for reprinting the ad.

Read All Comments

Style Around the Web

ImaxTree

Make Up Tips For Girls With Glasses - Refinery29
How Celebs Work Red Into Their Wardrobe - FabSugar
Celebrity Wardrobe Malfunctions - The Daily Beast
Deodorants that Actually Work - Daily Candy
Would You Wear Long-Sleeve Shirts As Skirts? - The Frisky
Tricks That Guarantee Gorgeous Hair - Daily Makeover
Celebs Have Us Seeing Stars - People Style Watch

READER COMMENTS

(34)Add A Comment

animeprincess056, 10-09-2009, 2:06PM

Well, isn't that peachy. Now, not only do they want people to pay out the nose for ugly clothes that will eventually end up in Wal-Mart, but they want to make the models so skinny, that our little girls are going to be starving and barfing just to keep up. Great job, Mr. Lauren!!! Can't wait for your fall line to come out!

Reply »

woyumen026, 10-09-2009, 8:11PM

---------------------------
Recently,I found a very interesting place
______R ic hS o ulM a t e . C o m_____.
It is the best club for seeking the rich singles, beauties and even hot celebs......There are More than 3,200,000 members.
including CEOs, professional athletes, doctors, lawyers, investors, entrepreneurs, professional models and cheerleaders, and Hollywood celebrities,
just to name a few.I think everyone need to meet some miracle after all the terrible stuff in the news and the economy .
You should check it out!!!
==============sssssssssaaaaaaaaaassssssss==============

LindaK, 10-09-2009, 8:15PM

I do a lot of TV and modeling work. My business is all about looks and how to look perfect at any time, and any place. I’m not young anymore and this is now harder than ever. I thought my career was almost over but GenFX™ is my secret weapon. Quite honestly, I look 10 years younger than my real age!
http://tiny.cc/GenFX

Lee, 10-09-2009, 2:07PM

WoW!!! Megan Fox poses nude is here:
http://cli.gs/-Megan-Fox-

Reply »

Jennifer, 10-09-2009, 2:19PM

Ralph Lauren people are upset because of what this uproar will do to their sales. They are more with lost revenue and not the damage done to impressionable young people. Ralph Lauren possess neither quality nor integrity.

Reply »

Karen, 10-09-2009, 2:22PM

Shame on anybody who would even question Ralph. I have been wearing his wonderful fabrics for 42 years,YOU GO BOY. Love KAREN

Reply »

Libby, 10-09-2009, 5:45PM

I assume you replied to this before the news came out that Ralph Lauren did indeed photo shop this model to the point of absurdity. Shame on the Ralph Lauren brand!

KAREN, 10-09-2009, 2:31PM

I have been wearing Ralph 's fabrics for ever. What I love is his taste in style. I want to meet you someday and I know I will meet you on your island. Lov Karen

Reply »

Uncle richie, 10-10-2009, 3:06AM

Karen, you're an obvious and rather ridiculous shill for Ralph Lauren. Shame on you.

Dorene, 10-09-2009, 2:31PM

Ralph, you of all people, in your industry,should know better, especially these past couple of years of focusing on anorexia awareness!! SHAME ON YOU!!

Reply »

sarahb, 10-09-2009, 2:37PM

Does anyone really care???? What difference does it make? They are paying big bucks for the ad so they should use what ever skinny body they choose. I have a grandaughter who is 6'5" who is just this skinny, shapely and pretty if they want to use her. Then they don't have to apologize to anyone. She is only 15 years old but her body and face would put this girl to shame. My point is, there are people who look like this without retouching to make them slender, so why make a big deal of it as if such people were non-existant.

Reply »

happygolucky, 10-09-2009, 3:37PM

Well Granny, if you have a granddaughter that is 6'5" and is that skinny, I suggest you get the casket ready because she won't last much longer. And how in the world do you call that shapely? You are totally weird.

SusanJeanine, 10-09-2009, 5:32PM

What they are making a big deal out of is that is not the models body. And I doubt that your grandaughters hips are smaller than her head.

MD, 3-13-2010, 12:47PM

You might want to have her evaluated for marfan's syndrome..

jackie, 10-09-2009, 2:47PM

i cant believe he would do that. hes a designer i look up to and is remarkable. After this, I have changed my belief in him... i will not support his industry and career as a designer anymore. i cannot believe he would stoop this low... the girl is disgustingly skinny... anyone that skinny should be put in a hospital why would he advertise her like this and expect anything but bad reactions... disgusting ralph

Reply »

guest, 10-09-2009, 2:50PM

what's the fuss, first you can look at it and tell the picture is fake( much better than a seemingly real "perfect" picture) and as far as little girls images being hurt....hey how long has barbie been around and then there are the "bratz" dolls. If adults reacted less to this the kids might not even notice.

Reply »

icyfae212, 10-09-2009, 9:50PM

True. I grew up on the Babies and Bratz. I am now 14 and am not at depressed about my body, regardless of the fact that I am not that well developed. If adults taught their children to recognize that they are dolls, just doll, and are not meant to show that this is what real women actually look like, then we wouldn't have this issue. Also, if your child( or anyone in general) is not capable of realizing that this is fake, then you have bigger issues than the impossible beauty idea.

Cathy, 10-09-2009, 2:56PM

I'm sure that Filippa Hamilton-Palmstierna has a body that needs little, if any photo retouching. She looks like a scarecrow here. It's time for Ralph Lauren to hire a new art director.

Reply »

Mandi Pinni, 10-09-2009, 3:05PM

I put the blame where it belongs: not on the model, not on the Art Director, but on Ralph Lauren and his organization's chase after what THEY want beauty to be rather than what beauty naturally IS. This is NOT the first dirty trick Ralph Lauren has pulled. From photoshopping to on the fense child porn, they are horrible. This model is just fine at her job but to do this to her is a travesty. Just as I do not wear Tommy Hifiger's Clothes, I wont be wearing Ralph Lauren's either.

Reply »

Redhed, 10-09-2009, 3:12PM

What was the point the art department was trying to make? That's what I'd like to know. I don't think models can starve themselves any more than they already are. Designers want hangers, not humans to model their clothes. That, or pre-pubescent boy looking models. The whole industry is sick.

Reply »

| 1 | 2 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments

ADD A COMMENT