ASOS Removes ‘Fat-Shaming’ Ballerina Body Suit From Sale

From Women's Health

• Amazon has apologised for stocking a ballerina fat suit, following outrage online

• The suit, which was included in a box of a game titled 'Ballerina Charades,' was called out for 'fat-shaming'

• The retailer has removed the product from sale
  

Amazon has found itself in hot water, with Twitter users calling the retailer out for stocking a game which includes a 'ballerina fat suit.'

The product, which is described on the site as ‘the perfect ice break and party game filled with laughter’, is titled 'Ballerina Charades'. The £25 buy, created by company Typo UK, comes in a box featuring a photo of a female model, dressed in an inflatable ballerina fat suit, on the front.

Danielle Vanier, a fashion blogger and curve advocate, was quick to take to Twitter to slam the decision to sell the item. Uploading screenshots of the game, she wrote: 'Erm, @ASOS – What is this please? Why would you stock something that is clearly marketed towards laughing at a body that looks like mine?’

The blogger’s post received 650 likes and nearly 150 retweets, with also many voicing their opinion on the matter.

One unimpressed user tweeted: ‘Excuse me?! WTF! I can only assume the point of this game is to laugh at ‘bigger’ people attempting to do ballet moves?! Who approves this s***!!’

And another adding: ‘No not Asos as well. Why isn’t there one place we can go without feeling fear of being fatshamed?!’

Amazon, to their credit, swiftly removed the item from sale.

‘That you for making us aware of this’, they wrote. 'It was never our intention to cause offence, we’ve decided to remove the product from our site. As a responsible fashion retailer we’re aware of the importance of promoting positive body image, so we appreciate the feedback.’

The games creators, Typo UK, also responded to the outrage by apologising in a tweet that seemed to missing its closing statement.

‘We’re sorry to hear that you have felt offended by our inflatable charades games and hope to assure you this was never our intention,' the company tweeted. 'This game includes 4 inflatable character suits including a blueberry, sloth, sumo and unicorn ballerina.These fictional char...'

For Vanier, the issue is now resolved. 'A member of PR team emailed me and told me they were putting this item on hold and I’m so glad they have decided to remove the product from the site, she wrote. 'I feel like this is a really positive outcome and very happy for their prompt response.'

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