The lingerie campaign women are loving
HOW refreshing is this? One lingerie brand’s latest ad campaign takes a stab at the rake-thin Victoria’s Secret models we’re used to seeing on billboards.
THIS is the photo thousands of women are loving right now.
American lingerie brand Lane Bryant launched its #ImNoAngel ad campaign this week, which uses social media to challenge conventional beauty standards.
Seven beautiful models smile and giggle in their knickers and declare, “We’re no angels,” taking a stab at the stick-thin, airbrushed bodies featured in Victoria’s Secret advertisements.
Victoria’s Secret has often been accused of perpetuating unrealistic body image standards in young women. In November last year, the brand was forced to rename its ‘Perfect Body’ campaign after it copped criticism online, changing the tagline to ‘A Body For Everybody’.
Victoria's Secret 'Perfect Body' ad has been called ignorant & offensive. Do you agree or disagree? #BeautyTalk pic.twitter.com/mHvyeE1uYM
— YASH MAGAZINE (@YASHmagazine) March 9, 2015In a statement, Lane Bryant’s CEO and president Linda Heasley said: “[The] ‘#ImNoAngel’ campaign is designed to empower ALL women to love every part of herself.
“Lane Bryant firmly believes that she is sexy and we want to encourage her to confidently show it, in her own way.”
Thousands of women have praised the campaign online.
Happy to see campaigns like #ImNoAngel reminding curvy girls to love the dips and hips they have! 💜
— Sydney Rak (@SydbeeMe) April 7, 2015#ImNoAngel makes me happy to see because I'm not exactly VS angel status according to society. xx MUAH!
— Forever By Your Side (@BohoBeanies) April 7, 2015Beauty isn't a size number, it's about confidence in your own skin. #ImNoAngel
— mykayla (@myyykayla) April 7, 2015#ImNoAngel isn't thin-shaming. It's saying I'm NOT a VS angel, but I look sexy too. Remember, VS defined "angel" not @lanebryant.
— Kristy Sammis (@kristysf) April 7, 2015The #ImNoAngel campaign is one of the most badass things I've ever seen
— josiee☮ (@josiegillihan) April 7, 2015Lane Bryant’s hashtag is the latest social media campaign about female body image to take off online.
In February, debate over the term ‘plus-size’ hit headlines as the hashtag #droptheplus started trending. Several models got on board, publicly denouncing the term.
‘I am a model FULL STOP. Unfortunately in the modelling industry if you’re above a US size 4 you are considered plus size, and so I’m often labelled a ‘plus size’ model,” Melbourne model Stefania Ferrario wrote on Instagram.
“I do NOT find this empowering ... Let’s have models of all shapes, sizes and ethnicities, and drop the misleading labels. I’m NOT proud to be called ‘plus’, but I AM proud to be called a ‘model’, that is my profession!”
Aussie ‘plus-size’ model Laura Wells recently told news.com.au she has mixed feelings about the term.
“If I wasn’t called a ‘plus sized model’ I wouldn’t have a job. There wouldn’t be a spot for me in the industry,” she said last week.
But Wells has previously acknowledged the term can be confusing and damaging.
“In the real world, I’m not a plus-sized person. People don’t look at my body and think I’m plus sized. They think that I’m normal, because I am. That’s where the confusion comes about.”
Last year, size 24 model Tess Munster started the #effyourbeautystandards movement.
“I understand not everyone gets what I’m about. But to me it’s such a simple concept,” the 29-year-old told The Huffington Post.
“It’s all about loving your body, regardless of your size, and chasing your dreams.”
Are you listening, Victoria’s Secret?
See more photos from the Lane Bryant campaign here.
What do you think of Lane Byrant’s ad campaign? Tweet us @newscomauhq | @beck_sullivan