“Barbie, who is 5’8″ (172.72cm) and has a waist of 30″ (76.2cm) and 44” (111.76cm) hips has become an inspiration for many women all around the world.
Advertisement
Since the brand launched its “Aerie Real” campaign in 2014, the company has championed showcasing a variety of body types thanks to its un-retouched photos in ads and images seen throughout the site. “She’s strong and attractive – she embraces her real self, which is the spirit of the Aerie Real message”.
She says that not being Photoshopped was very important to her as she didn’t want others to judge what her body should or shouldn’t look like.
Speaking about their choice for curvy models in the campaigns, Jenny Altman, a brand representative for Aerie said: “They are still models, they’re still gorgeous, they just look a little more like the rest of us”.
Its latest advert for the new #AerieREAL campaign stars self-proclaimed “curve model” and “Queen of In-Between” (size definition, that is) Barbie Ferreira – a proud United Kingdom size 16.
How do you feel about the praise and attention surrounding your Aerie Real campaign?
‘Have to remind myself that people are so cruel and wrong about bodies because they never see average bodies on their screens and it’s new to them, ‘ she wrote on Twitter.
Fashion shoots often gives both women and men unrealistic body goals and this is a relief for all of those wanting to be positive in their own skin – without feeling the pressure to change who they are. I have a lot of people calling me “obese” and that I’m lying about my size and that I will have health problems, which couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Advertisement
Brands are making more of an effort include a better representation of modes on runways, in ad campaigns and on magazine pages as seen in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, in Viva N Diva’s ad campaign and for down syndrome model Madeline Stuart’s growing résumé. “It’s clothes, wear whatever you think is cute”.
