The online retailer Revolve released this sweatshirt stating; 'Being fat is not beautiful, it's an excuse'. In response to all the outrage, the company's owners LPA released a statement explaining that the jumper was part of a collaboration with 5 women that was to 'shine the light on how horrible trolling is'. Their way of doing this was to put the worst of the troll quotes on the fashion garments with the proceed going to charity. However, you can't help but wonder how they believe these fat-phobic jumpers will create that impression, when it is ostensibly just perpetuating the problem.
Criticisms were first raise by curve model Felicity Hayward, founder of the Self Love Bring Beauty movement. Hayward tweeted, 'What the hell is this?' and proceeded to call out the company on its disgusting idea of marketing.The model quoted on this jumper, Paloma Elsesser has also responded to the controversies, requesting that her quote be removed after all the negative responses.
The real problem here is a confusion in marketing, as raised by artist and feminist Florence Given. The company had intended to make a social comment on trolling and internet culture, but their attempt has gone extremely awry. Other quotes intended to be released on jumpers include; 'too boney to be boned' (quote provided by model Cara Delevingne) and 'horrible result of modern feminism' (apparently said to actress Lena Dunham.
Now don't get me wrong, the intention is there. The idea that they wanted to create awareness of internet trolls is amicable, but what my mind can't reconcile is why they needed to market it on jumpers costing £165! These offensive comments do not belong on fashion and that's not even bringing in the fact that the initial jumper was advertised on a stick-thin model, only ranging up to a size 12. It's a complete contradiction of what they are trying to advertise. They are trying to admonish the idea that 'fat is not beautiful' but their sentiment has gotten twisted in their delivery. By limiting the sizing they are contradicting all that they're trying to convey. Any women that were meant to be empowered by this jumper, because according to them fat is still beautiful, wouldn't be able to purchase and wear this jumper because of the restricted sizing. So basically this whole idea is backwards and ineffective, especially given that no context was provided when the preview of the jumper was released.
Lena Dunham, an avid campaigner for diversity in beauty standards, has since expressed her own outrage at LPA's advertising, despite initially being involved with the project. She has stated that she is disappointed in the marketing, as apparently none of the collaborators were consulted by Resolve before they used a thin white model wearing the jumper. Dunham reiterates that the project was meant to reclaim the words from trolls to "celebrate the beauty in diversity and bodies and experiences that aren't the industry norm", but she admits that this sentiment was lost in the presentation.
Even if they are trying to 'claim back' these toxic narratives, they are unintentionally creating one of their own. I don't see how they couldn't foresee the negative consequences from releasing a statement like this. Young people today are even more impressionable than ever, and this modern society is extra sensitive to these perceived 'beauty standards'. As someone who has suffered my whole adult life with Body Dysmorphia and eating disorders, I find this kind of statement extremely triggering and detrimental to my health.
BEAUTY HAS NO SIZE AND NO PRESET IMAGE.
It is frankly disgusting to think that anyone can be made to feel anything other than beautiful. Especially if it's solely based on their appearance. Weight doesn't determine beauty and no one should be made to feel like their self-worth is based on their looks and weight. The presented idea that "fat is not beautiful" is horrifically outdated. Every day we are bombarded with this 'ideal' body type which pervades the media and every possible outlet that we see. Any mainstream media has always represented thin, white able-bodied and young body types. Its been the societal norm and 'goal' for decades. Partly because we exist in a world dominated by diet culture. Belittled and ashamed when we do not look like the models and celebrities praised in the media. Every single person can admit to comparing their bodies to others. This is then fuelled by all the bodies presented as 'ideal', making us begin to abuse ourselves for not looking a certain way.
As a society, we have to stop assuming that if someone is 'fat' then they are unhealthy.
As a society, we have to stop assuming that if someone is 'fat' then they have to have a desire to change.
As a society, we have to stop shoving a predetermined body type down everyone's throats, and start praising the beautiful diversity that exists in the world.
No two people are the same, and this is an act to celebrate and not condemn. Individuality is what keeps us interesting. Diversity makes us thrive as humans. Perfection is not what we see in the media, it's not what the voices in our head tell us we should be, its you.
Everyone is perfect, and society's media needs to start representing everyone with the love and respect that we ALL deserve. It's important though to not make the same mistakes as revolve. When praising and celebrating diversity, its extremely important for it to be presented appropriately. The right amount of thought and care needs to be expressed with this topic, so it's creating positive ripples in society and not those that are detrimental.
PS:
Linked in this post is @Bodyposipanda (Megan Jayne Crabbe), a recovered anorexic advocating for self love body positivity and diversity in beauty. Her words lift me up whenever I begin to doubt myself and when my body dysmorphic thoughts get too loud, her posts make me respect myself again.
Seriously, follow her and read everything she says. A true modern day health and beauty GODDESS.
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