American Eagle praised for lingerie campaign featuring models with disabilities
American Eagle has won praise for its latest lingerie campaign for its sub-brand Aerie, which features female models with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
One of the models included in the Aerie Real campaign is pictured wearing a colostomy bag, while another has been photographed with her arm crutches and one woman poses in her wheelchair.
Each is wearing pieces from the popular label, including its signature bandeaus and lace bralets.
There is an aerie model that’s diabetic and is literally wearing her insulin pump and CGM I’m LOVING THIS GO AMERICAN EAGLE!!!! pic.twitter.com/6wJmOSr8Io
— eye-lee (@ailijones) July 10, 2018
One model has type-1 diabetes and is pictured on the website wearing her insulin pump.
YES American Eagle/Aerie with this campaign that features women of different illnesses, conditions, and disabilities. The rest of y’all better catch up!!! pic.twitter.com/431SJSVND6
— claire (@bramflake) July 11, 2018
Model Abby Sams. who uses a wheelchair, was thrilled to be included in the campaign, writing on Twitter: @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."
@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
Aerie’s campaign imagery has been widely-shared on social media, with fans praising the brand for its forward-thinking initiative and its commitment to diverse representation, with a range of body types included.
“A model who looks like me!” one person wrote on Twitter alongside a snap of the model with an insulin pump tucked into her bra.
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
“@Aerie is doing something so special! i have never seen true diversity of age, ethnicity, ability, and size from a company in my life! this is representation!
“I literally cried when I saw this today. Thank you @Aerie for making my daughter a little less self conscious about her diabetes #realpeople #tidlookslikeme” added another person, speaking about the same image.
While the popular US label is known for its inclusive campaigns, this is arguably its most diverse yet.
Absolutely amazing! The confidence of these ladies leaks out of the screen! Fantastic photos, beautifully taken showing ladies being their true selves 💗
— Its Saco (@itssaco) July 11, 2018
“Now, more than ever, we want to encourage women everywhere to feel empowered to embrace their own unique qualities and beautiful real selves,” said Aerie's global brand president, Jennifer Foyle with regards to the label's commitment to body diversity.
The new campaign also includes sexual abuse survivor Aly Raisman, who told People: “I’m so proud to be in this campaign and to be able to pose in bra and underwear and in swimwear because I want to and I’m in control — I can do whatever I want.”