Online retailer ASOS has come under extreme criticism this evening, after referring to model and bodybuilder Jodie Marsh as a man in an ill-advised tweet today.
The incident began when a male customer of the clothing giant sent a tweet to the official @ASOS account asking “Would you mind employing a model who’s built like a man so anyone who actually lifts can buy clothes that fit from you?”.
The account replied by sending the below response, containing a photo of glamour girl Marsh with the caption ‘This do?’.
Marsh was understandably outraged by the public slur, sending a series of tweets outlining her distress at the insult and accusing the company of bullying her.
So @ASOS are saying I like look a man. I am utterly horrified at this comment. Totally unacceptable from such a large company – BULLIES!!!!!
— Jodie Marsh (@JodieMarsh) May 21, 2014
Check my last RT to see what bullies @ASOS are!!!! Talk about being slapped in the face. This is disgusting & I am horrified. I’m gobsmacked
— Jodie Marsh (@JodieMarsh) May 21, 2014
I will be making a formal complaint to @ASOS head office over this. No one should have to suffer this. They’ve just lost a loyal customer
— Jodie Marsh (@JodieMarsh) May 21, 2014
The comment quickly drew ire from the online community, with commentators calling the act “disgusting”, “appalling” and “shocking”.
ASOS later apologised for the tweet, saying “you’re right, we should never have tweeted that. We never meant to hurt your feelings and we’re really sorry”.
However, the model has refused to accept the apology.
. @ASOS that lame apology doesn’t cut it. I think my #fitfam will agree that saying a woman who lifts weights makes her look manly is NOT ON
— Jodie Marsh (@JodieMarsh) May 21, 2014
