With Spring Break a mere two weeks away, social media seems to be congested with work out videos, Victoria Secret models, and fast acting diets. Companies brainwash consumers to thinking that they must have that bikini body, they must have Calvin Klein abs, and that they must have the most fashion forward swimwear.
But what if those companies are wrong? What if you don’t have to look like a Victoria’s Secret model? What if it is okay to feel good about how you look now? Well, the word is out- it truly is okay to feel great about how you look in the present.
Of course, there is a thin line between being happy about your weight and being over or underweight. Neither of those weights are healthy.
In recent years, countless campaigns and movements have popped up to promote body positivity. These campaigns focus on promoting confidence, health, real beauty, and self esteem. A movement called The Body Positive states that “Negative body image is linked to poor overall life quality. It also leads to poor self-care, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, self-harming behaviors (e.g., cutting, suicide), substance abuse, weight cycling, and relationship violence.”
The most popular body positive campaign currently is through Aerie, the lingerie and sleepwear line of American Eagle Outfitters. The campaign #aerieREAL targets young girls and women to fell more comfortable in their skin. The Aerie models are not retouched with Photoshop, meaning their bodies are not warped in any way.
#aerieREAL has accomplished their mission of promoting body positivity in a very real way. Two of their models, Iskra Lawrence and Barbie Ferreira, have very different body types compared to the other Aerie models. These models have curves and are not afraid to show them off. Both Lawrence and Ferreira inspire other young women to be confident and comfortable in their own bodies.
After speaking to two employees of Aerie, I learned their opinion on their company’s campaign.
“Customers always tell me they don’t feel comfortable shopping in Victoria’s Secret because it’s so intimidating,” said sophomore marketing major Emina Peljia.
Pelja and her coworker Kristen Borgogoni both agree that Aerie accomplishes the goal of their campaign.
“I think it’s [#aerieREAL campaign] just to show that no matter what your body looks like, you’re still beautiful unretouched,” said Borgogni, a sophmore biology education major.
I would have to agree with these young women. Upon entering an Aerie store last week, I felt more comfortable in my own skin and that I was surrounded by young women like myself. The models adorning the wall as were not intimidating, and I just felt like the store had truly embodied what their campaign is about.
#aerieREAL is a campaign that inspires young women to be their true selves. After seeing countless ads of sexualized Victoria Secret models, it is nice to see a company promoting genuine, natural beauty.
