Victoria’s Secret ad inspires angry petition
October 31, 2014 by admin
Filed under Choosing Lingerie
Victoria’s Secret has always featured ads with long-legged, slim models, but this time women believe the lingerie retailer has gone too far.
The company has an ad for a new line of bras that boldly states “The Perfect Body” across a line of models. It’s a reference to its “Body” bra line, but many people read it in a way the company may not have accounted for.
Dear @VictoriasSecret ALL body types are beautiful! This messaging is damaging to the young generation. #iamperfect pic.twitter.com/iDJ6wViduJ
— Jeanette Jenkins (@JeanetteJenkins) October 30, 2014
The wording inspired a Change.org petition, which demands that the company apologize for its wording and change the ad. Started by Frances Black, Gabriella Kauntourides and Laura Ferris, three women from the UK, the petition has more than 11,000 supporters.
“This marketing campaign is harmful. It fails to celebrate the amazing diversity of women’s bodies by choosing to call only one body type ‘perfect’,” the petition reads.
It also asks people who support the petition to use the hashtag #iamperfect to support it. The response on Twitter shows that many of them are following suit.
.@VictoriasSecret, your delusional ads continue to disrespect real women everywhere. #iamperfect #marketingfail pic.twitter.com/aFFEwuzbkm
— Rebecca Halton (@Rebecca_Halton) October 30, 2014
Hey, @VictoriasSecret! All women are beautiful, no matter what their size is. For someone with body issues, this ad is awful. #iamperfect
— Samantha Neeman (@Peace_Sign_Sam) October 30, 2014
Another user pointed out that the ad also lacked another thing — a representation of older women.
@DabneyPorte not seeing one #IamPerfect ‘model’ over the age of 40. Are we invisible @VictoriasSecret? #IamPerfect so what about me?!
— Audrey van Petegem (@audreyvp) October 30, 2014
Some people, however, felt the ad was just fine.
Don’t expect a guy w/a 6 pack, if you’re content being out of shape. VS is merely holding a standard. Don’t fold VS. #iamperfect
— Christian McQueen (@RealCMcQueen) October 29, 2014
This is why everybody hates women, because they take everything so damn personal #iamperfect #noyoureactuallynot
— Anna Butts (@storyofanna) October 29, 2014
Victoria’s Secret has not responded to the outcry as of yet. Do you think it should?