Lingerie brand Aerie has been praised on social media for its inclusive new campaign featuring a diverse group of models with disabilities.
The brand, which doesn’t airbrush its models, added the photos to its product pages this week.
One of the featured models, student and YouTube star Abby Sams, posted a sample of the photos on Twitter, saying: “Look at this disability representation people!”
@Aerie just sneakily released some of my photos! Look at this disability representation people!!! Also look at me because I cant believe it’s actually me so yeah pic.twitter.com/nfhaBrKqHX
— abby sams ? (@abby__sams) July 10, 2018
In 2014, the brand began a campaign called Aerie Real, in which they promised not to airbrush or re-touch models.
The campaign has continued with its newest group; 57 women of diverse ages, ethnicities and body shapes.
As well as featuring Abby, who uses a wheelchair, the campaign included women with arm crutches, an insulin pump, an ostomy pouch, as well as conditions such as vitiligo.
@Aerie also had a gal with an Ostomy, Type 1 Diabetes, Vitiligo, arm crutches (1/?) pic.twitter.com/H2LUUxQa4k
— abby sams ? (@abby__sams) July 10, 2018
Twenty-year-old Abby said: “Aerie had a contest on social media for their fall campaign and you had to say what Aerie Real meant to you.
“As someone who has never really seen disability or chronic illness represented I told them that Aerie Real should mean beauty in all shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and abilities.”
A cancer survivor, down syndrome paralympian, me, and fibromyalgia (+ body hair). Their work in chronic illness and disability representation this campaign was REAL and AMAZING. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/J9LejjTaWU
— abby sams ? (@abby__sams) July 10, 2018
Abby said: “Its honestly meant the world to be part of this campaign. All the other models have really come together and become a family.
“We all talk and support each other. It was like I gained a bunch of best friends instantly.
“It really blew up and I’m just glad it’s getting more coverage. That people out there can see the work that Aerie is doing and see the models that are making it happen.”
“I showed up and was blown away by all these amazing women with amazing stories representing so many different communities.”
Since the products were added to Aerie’s website, Twitter has been flooded with positive comments, many praising the brand for its diverse representation of body types and disabilities.
OH MY GOD!!! THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I’VE EVER SEEN MYSELF REPRESENTED IN A MODEL!!!!
— ᴇᴠ ᴍᴀᴄ ? (@evquaymac) July 10, 2018
How beautiful! So happy for everyone who can see themselves here! And happy for the rest of us, my kids, etc., who need to see real people in advertising. ❤️
— Ratilda (@MatildaWent) July 11, 2018
To all women everywhere, every shape, size, age, & ability- you fit @Aerie. Their new collection showcases a stunning array of beauty that I have yet to see anywhere else in the world. Absolutely beautiful, and proud to be #aeriereal! <3
— Ashley Basinger (@ashleytbasinger) July 10, 2018
Jennifer Foyle, Aerie’s global brand president, said: “As a brand, Aerie has been a leader in empowering women and celebrating inclusivity and body positivity since our launch of Aerie Real in 2014.
“Our newest bra models are part of our brand’s ongoing commitment to show real, authentic and un-retouched women, who are at the core of everything that we do.”
