Designer Ralph Lauren has had to apologise after the company airbrushed a model to tiny proportions.

In a recent advertising campaign for the brand’s Blue Label jeans the designer airbrushed size 8, 21 year old model Filippa Hamilton so much that her head was wider than her waist, making her look emaciated and sporting the “lolly pop” head look.

The image was first bought to the public’s attention via blog Boing Boing, which spotted the advert on Japanese billboards.

After a heated exchange of words Ralph Lauren admitted the mistake and issued a statement, where it said: “For over 42 years, we have built a brand based on quality and integrity. After further investigation, we have learned that we are responsible for the poor imaging and retouching that resulted in a very distorted image of a woman’s body.”

“We have addressed the problem and going forward will take every precaution to ensure that the calibre of our artwork represents our brand appropriately.”

Visit Boing Boing to see the image and follow the exchange of words between the brand and the blog.