Zara’s latest PR disaster shows a much more disturbing High Street trend

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Actual slogans on girls’ tops included: “So Many Boys, So Little Time”; “0 to Naughty in 6 Seconds”; “Don’t Touch What You Can’t Afford”; and “You Wish”. In Australia, H&M was forced to remove a campaign for school uniforms earlier this year because it “sexualised” young girls, carrying the tagline: “Make those heads turn in H&M’s Back to School fashion.” In February, Sun journalist Lynsey Hope named and shamed Chinese fast-fashion mega-retailer Shein for flogging padded bikini tops and “revealing” party dresses and skirts “that barely cover their bottoms” to girls as young as eight. Let Clothes Be Clothes Then there was Matalan’s “Candy Couture” range for 9- to 16-year-old girls, which came under fire in 2022 due to its off-the-shoulder Bardot dresses, crop tops, boob tubes and hot pants. We understand that not all products will appeal to everyone, however, we aim to provide a range of styles so there is something for all ages.” open image in gallery H&M was forced to pull a school uniform campaign in 2024 But Let Clothes Be Clothes took aim at the gap between the girls’ and boys’ collections: “Matalan are selling these products under the name ‘Candy Couture’ which also features lip motifs and ribbed Bardot dresses.