Curves? WHAT CURVES!!
Yesterday, I read a story in The Telegraph that infuriated me. Muireann O'Connell, an Irish radio personality, noticed an advert in the shop window of popular retailer Zara. The advert stated 'Love your curves', however, it depicted the image of two 'skinny' models instead of a model with a fuller figure.
Consequently, this received huge backlash on social media after Muireann tweeted about it. Personally, I agree. I think it is absolutely disgusting and immoral to say that you are advertising a certain body shape and are still using thin models. When is this perception that 'skinny' models have the perfect shape going to end?.
Firstly, it is a complete misrepresentation to have slim models on a cover that promotes a curvy figure. Personally, me as a curvier person, if I walked past that advert, I would feel extremely insulted. Do Zara understand the meaning of the word CURVY!! THESE ARE CURVES:
Secondly, it can really knock people's confidence who do have a curvier figure. They can be left feeling as though they are not accepted by society and that's why Zara didn't use an image of a curvier model. Going back to the main point of my blog, this can also make younger girls feel extremely self-conscious. They would think that even popular retail stores are depicting curvy women as being stick thin, maybe I need to lose weight because this is not normal. This is how eating disorders bulimia, body dysmorphia and many other mental conditions manifest.
Models like Ashely Graham have been campaigning for several years to get curvier women more acceptance in the modelling world. Why are retailers effectively throwing all of hers and other curvier models, hard work back in their face? It's so wrong.
To think that in this current society, even after all the campaigns that curvier models have conducted, a popular fashion retailer would rather cause controversy by misrepresenting an advert, then have a curvy model on the cover, really highlights just how backwards the fashion/modelling industry still is.
Now, this isn't an attack on slimmer models by any means. I believe that all shapes and sizes should be showcased in the modelling world. I really feel like they should stop categorising models, for example having strictly 'skinny' catwalks or plus-size' only catwalks, instead, it should be mixed to represent all body shapes. However, I just feel that in principle, if you are going to conduct a campaign centred about loving your curves, then there should be a curvier model on the cover, just as if it was a campaign for an athletic frame, I would expect to see an athletic model on the cover. It's 2017, why can't this stigma of thin models being the 'perfect' size be broken. I just want the world, society and the industry to be more sensitive, understanding, fair and accepting.
If you want to read the Zara story in full please follow this link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/life/zara-criticised-love-curves-campaign-featuring-slim-models/
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