Aerie has made a big move for women all over the world as the lingerie line — extended from American Eagle — has hired its first full-figured model, Barbie Ferreira.
The social media star is being promoted as a symbol of empowerment, encouraging women all over the world to love and accept their bodies and not be slaves to media ideals of beauty.
To further promote this concept, photos of Ferreira in company ads won’t be retouched.
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“Not being retouched in the images is something that’s really important to me,” the model shares. “Knowing that that’s what I look like without anyone’s perception of what my body needs to look like. The world needs more women who are so strong, especially a lot of friends that I have.”
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Saying I have a normal body is powerful within itself bc ppl tend to think my fat makes me abnormal. It doesnt mean u aren’t normal either.
— barbie (@boredbarbara) January 25, 2016
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The “Aerie Real’ campaign launched in 2014, with the clothing line’s website featuring unretouched photos of models highlighting all body types.
“The real you is sexy,” the company said at the time, PEOPLE reports. “We want every girl to feel good about who they are and what they look like, inside and out.”
Watch Ferreira’s behind-the-scenes feature below.
