When modelling agency Models Direct read the story of five topless body-painted models who were banned from a comic convention last month we couldn’t have predicted the reaction it would get.

The five models were dressed to represent various super-heroes but were left naked from the waist up. Body-paint from a company called Skincognito was then applied by artist Andrea O’Donnell to imitate clothing. Breast shields were used beneath the paint to avoid ‘over-exposure’ and the models felt that they were no more on display than many other promo girls present at the event.

Shannon Bayless was made up to look like X-Men character Storm at the event and has been quoted as saying: “I respect everyone’s opinions; they can say what the want to say, but we look at it as art. I think it was a little ridiculous that so many people thought it was such a big deal.”

She and the other four models were intended to promote the brand’s products and make-up art studio but were instead asked to leave the event having been told that their attire was inappropriate for a “family-friendly convention”.

However, as the story spread from the US to the UK and on to various European publications, many readers expressed the view that a ban was an unnecessary over-reaction and now the controversy has begun to work in Skincognito’s favour.

Owner Denise Weatherford, said that the decision to ban the models has increased visibility of her business and that in the long run “the attention to the store was definitely good”.