Lorna Jane has come under fire for putting the call out for a receptionist with very specific bust, waist, and height measurements who would also be required to be a sizing model for the company.
An ad for the Brisbane-based "receptionist/fit model" position that appeared on online job site Seek on Friday was discovered by news website Crikey.
Lorna Jane got back to Crikey re the fit model/receptionist, says they often have dual roles. http://t.co/H6F9KmoUvT
It asks for job candidates who would fit into the company's "small" sizing.
The ad then describes some very different requirement, such as "booking all travel arrangements for staff", "preparing folders, workbooks", and "proficiency in MS Office suite".
Some people screenshotted the ad and posted it, complaining about the message it sent to others.
I'm not tall enough to be a Lorna Jane receptionist 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 Or, you know, thin enough.
I'm a sz 18 receptionist who does regular cardio & weights. @LornaJaneActive we come in ALL sizes! (ht @WarWraith)
I'm not the right size or shape to apply for this #LornaJane job. Are you? @LornaJaneActive http://t.co/jneljMA28n
I'm a size 12-14, the most common of sizes, yet I am unqualified to work at #LornaJane because my bust, waist and hips are 5cm too big.
The ad was then removed on Monday, with Lorna Jane telling BuzzFeed News, "We’ve had a fantastic selection, people are always rushing to get a position."
But it didn't stop people posting to Lorna Jane's Facebook, which had coincidentally uploaded an article about ways to "land your DREAM job".
And founder Lorna Jane tried to explain that a "fit model" was not someone who was "fit", rather someone to try clothing samples on.
It didn't stop some newspapers splashing with the story in Tuesday's papers.
Front page of The Courier-Mail.
BuzzFeed News spoke to Lorna Jane about what's been described as a "miscommunication" in the wording of the ad.
"There's been some confusion about what a fit model is," said a spokesperson. "The ad was a little confusing. We are looking for a model to fit the garments to, rather than being 'fit'."
When asked whether it was appropriate for the company to be seeking someone to work as both a "fit model" and a "receptionist", the spokesperson said they combine several other part-time roles.
"It's only a part-time role and we wanted to roll them into one. We have a number of positions at the moment where we combine the two roles. For example, we have an in house hair and make-up artist who also works on the reception desk."
It led to others standing by Lorna Jane's ad for a "fit model".
APPARENTLY People are Salty because @LornaJaneActive is looking for a Fitness model/Receptionist and they want specific measurements. Really
Jesus, the idiocy being levelled at @LornaJaneActive is remarkable. Garment companies, including those for plus sizes, use fit models.
YES it is weird that size 8 women are seen as the 'standard/sample' size, but that's a whole other discussion. Not Lorna Jane's fault.