American Eagles lingerie brand Aerie now has models with visible disabilities
After a very long time, brands are finally starting to realise why its so important to include people with disabilities and that representation matters.
Aerie, a lingerie sub-brand of retailer American Eagle, is taking heed of the important message.
As part of its new campaign, the brand released images of its latest line using female models with a stoma bag, arm crutches, type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, and other visible disabilities.
The models and fans are now giving the campaign a lot of love on social media.
@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
The diverse range of models advertised the brands signature bralettes, bandeaus, and matching workout apparel.
Model Abby Sams was delighted to be part of the shoot, tweeting the images that the brand quietly released on their website.
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She wrote in disbelief: A cancer survivor, down syndrome Paralympian, me, and fibromyalgia (plus body hair). Their (Aeries) work in chronic illness and disability representation in this campaign was real and amazing.
Members of the public chimed in with their support saying how refreshing it was to see visible disabilities in a fashion campaign.
The arm crutches make me really emotional, seeing someone like me wow, this is so so cool, wrote one fan.
Another appreciated both the models and the clothing, saying: So this is amazing because a) representation of diversity in body types is awesome, but also b) those bralettes and bandeaus are super cute!
You have no idea how nice it is to see type 1 diabetes not be the centre of a stupid joke, cruel insult, or really cheesy video game. Feels like Ive been waiting since the 90s for that.
One user wrote: Ive had an ostomy for 20 years and its amazing to see someone proudly showing it off. Now if we can just get the ostomy companies to start making better “skin tone” colours for people of colour!
Aerie has also made efforts in the past to use models with different body types and racial backgrounds, using the hashtag #AerieREAL.
They also teamed up with the All Woman Project last year using untouched photos of their models to promote natural beauty and female empowerment.
We definitely need more of this.
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