Shop takes down Instagram photos of shop assistant for not being 'model material'

'Something I want to make sure you keep in mind. I want size small, the stereotypical 'model' to model our clothes.'

Sherene Zarrabi, 21 (Sherene Zarrabi)

A boutique clothes shop has removed photos of a shop assistant from their Instagram account for not being 'model material'.

Sherene Zarrabi, 21, was working at a branch of Dainty Hooligan in Stillwater, Oklahoma, when she posted photos of herself wearing some of the boutique's products on the shop account.

These photos were subsequently removed by the store owner Jessica Issler, who wrote the following in an email forwarded to Sherene: "Something I want to make sure you keep in mind. I want size small, the stereotypical 'model' to model our clothes.

"Please use our pictures of our models if Stillwater store can't find someone who would be considered 'model material'.

"This is not to put anyone down but to communicate expectations of presenting our brand."

This is an email I was forwarded earlier. I just want to start by saying this: I am fully comfortable with who I am and...

Posted by Sherene Marie Zarrabi on Monday, 1 February 2016

On receiving the email, Sherene quit her job and posted the message on Facebook.

The final year student at Oklahoma State University said: "I am fully comfortable with who I am and the way I look. I have recently been attacked and discriminated against by the owner of Dainty Hooligan.

"She went on our stores Instagram and deleted all of the pictures where I was modeling the clothing and then sent this email to my manager.

"I do not want to represent or support a business that has such archaic values and beliefs. THIS is the reason young girls have body image issues."

Posted by Sherene Marie Zarrabi on Friday, 11 December 2015

On Tuesday - Ms Issler told the Oklahoma State University newspaper, O'Colly: "I am accountable for the email that was sent. I never meant to be mean or attacking, but I'm not apologizing for the unsaid fashion rule.

"My No. 1 priority is the safety of my staff, so the evil and lack of positivity is terrifying

"This girl has now created a hostile work environment because she has a sad body image of herself."

A day later, Ms Issler amended her statement in an email to Sherene: "I can definitely see where feelings got hurt and negativity from there festered from something I take full responsibility for.

"I wish you the best of luck and honestly I don't have any ill or hard feelings toward you and I want to thank you for a very humbling experience."