Victoria’s Secret body shaming controversy has taken Twitter by storm. Victoria’s Secret has released a new ad, which features 10 models in lingerie with the words “perfect body,” splashed on the front. Many women have taken to social media to say that the company is body shaming them by having only skinny models in the ad. Three ladies upset by the message conveyed in the ad, have started a petition demanding that the company apologize.
Is Victoria’s Secret body-shaming women with their “perfect body” ad? According to a group of women, who has started a petition against the brand, the answer is a big fat yes.
This week, the largest American retailer of lingerie launched a new ad called “perfect body.” The ad features 10 beautiful ladies in lingerie standing in a row.
9 of the models are very skinny and are facing the camera, while the only model with curves has her back turned, head down as if she is ashamed of what she looks like.
Three ladies from England, Frances Black, Gabriella Kountourides and Laura Ferris, who were angered by the image, took to the internet to make their voices heard.
The trio started a petition that has more than 7000 supporters. Ferris, Kountourides and Black are asking Victoria’s Secret to stop body shaming their clients with unrealistic images.
They also want the brand to apologize. Black claims that no woman has the perfect, Photoshopped, size 000 and surgically-enhanced body that Victoria’s Secret is promoting. She adds:
“It’s really hurtful to women’s self-esteem. I’d like them to apologize and take accountability for choosing the wrong words for the campaign. I’d like them to amend the wording and pledge not to use such harmful language in the future.”
Countless women have taken to Twitter to support the petition using #iamperfect. One person said that Victoria’s Secret should be ashamed telling young girls, the only way to look good is to have their ribs showing.
Another one said, Victoria’s Secret should make women feel beautiful, not start body shaming them.
Few skeptical voices have pointed out the fact that Victoria’s Secret has built an entire empire on the idea of a perfect female body, so why such outrage? The brand’s ads have often put forward women, who are far from what is considered “normal,” or “realistic” in terms of body image.
Victoria’s Secret had no comment on the backlash. What do you think of Victoria’s Secret body shaming outrage?
