Queen Street display window "insensitive"

Queen Street retailer Ermenegildo Zegna has come under fire for using a noose in a shopfront display.

The display features two red ropes hanging from a gallows-like set up, with a noose hanging a suit jacket as if it was a person.

Queen street pedestrian Ena Gribbs said she could not understand why the retailer chose to advertise their products in such an insensitive manner.

“Why would you even think of putting that as your advertising?” she said.

Shop manager Craig Gibbens said the display was a point of difference from the rest of windows on the busy Auckland street.

“You run the risk of looking like everyone else,” he said.

However, he declined to comment on people’s opinions and interpretations linking the display to suicide.

Youth health specialist Stephen Bell said the display could be detrimental to lonely people.

"There is enough sensationalism of suicide happening on TV. We don’t need it in the streets.”

New Zealand’s youth suicide rate is one of the highest in the world.