American Apparels has sparked controversy with a new advertisement starring a topless model from Bangladesh.
The bold image, which appears in Vice magazine’s U.S. and Canada editions, stars 22-year-old Maks, a merchandiser for American Apparels, who was born in Dhaka but has been living in California since the age of four.
The strong image is accompanied by a description of Maks, revealing how she was raised as a strict Muslim but later ‘distanced herself’ from the Islamic faith as she grew up in search of her ‘own identity.’
The words explain that the bare-breast beauty ‘doesn’t feel the need to identify herself as an American or a Bangladeshi and is not content to fit her life into anyone else’s conventional narrative.
American Apparel, which was established in Canada in 1989, has a long history of sparking both celebration and outrage for its daring campaigns.
Abdul Salam Murshedy, former president of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) talking to The New Nation on Sunday said the advertisement is nothing but an attempt to belittle the country’s garment industry. There were attempts in the past to tarnish the image of the industry but “we have successfully overcome such evil attempts through our commitments to the buyers.” This time also, he said such negative campaign would not affect much.
Convener of Bangladesh Sramik Oikkya Federation Sirajul Islam Rony in a reaction said that the advertisement has tarnished the image of Bangladesh’s garment industry on the one hand and dignity of woman on the other. He said using” Made in Bangladesh” on topless body of a woman the country’s image has been hampered. He was bitterly critical of the advertisement. Mosrefa Mishu, president , Garments Sramik Unity Forum protesting advertisement said, it does not reflect our country’s culture. She was sharply critical of the campaign against our garments.
