I find it utterly annoying and disgraceful that maternity companies hire extremely thin, non-pregnant women to pretend they're "pregnant" in clothing campaigns.
Yes, I know, all advertising is technically false and distributes unobtainable versions of ourselves and our lifestyles in order to propel consumerism.
But, imagine if size two models dressed up as size 18 women in a plus-size campaign?! People would be infuriated at the misrepresentation and distortion of the truth.
Why should a double zero model get to strap on a baby-bump, as though it's a mere accessory like shoes or bracelets, and pose in a maternity clothing campaign?
After all, what would this say to the plus-size community? What would the younger generations of women derive from all of this?
Well the same can be applied to pregnant women -- why should a double zero model get to strap on a baby-bump, as though it's a mere accessory like shoes or bracelets, and pose in a maternity clothing campaign?
I'm lucky enough to know some of the models in these campaigns so I can discern the truth simply through awareness that these people are barely 25 years old and nowhere near procreating. But, for other women, these ads signify a much darker message -- one of ridiculously unobtainable standards during a time of life that's already crammed full of guilt, stress and pressure (and of course enjoyment, beauty and love, but I digress...).
These major companies have a responsibility to their customer. and to all women, to accurately represent their clientele. Hire expecting women of any size, but if nothing else, hire a damn pregnant person.
Now, I'm not saying pregnant women can't be a size two with a cute little bump. What I am saying is that these major companies have a responsibility to their customer and to all women, to accurately represent their clientele. Hire expecting women of any size, but if nothing else, hire a damn pregnant person. We've all seen "glowing" models : Behati Prinsloo, Coco Rocha, Tess Holliday, Heidi Klum, Adriana Lima, Lily Aldridge, Audrina Patridge, the list goes on. So there's no shortage of the necessary, authentic belly.
Some amazing companies go to great lengths to ensure that real women/models showcase their clothing. But, the majority don't.
It's shameful.
It's lame.
It's sickening that no matter what stage of life women are in (and pregnancy is supposed to be one of beauty, health, excitement and so on) that we're bombarded with distorted representations of the ideal form. Having people "pretend" to be a certain shape goes well beyond Photoshop and editing. It's an outright lie. It's so ridiculous that it's laughable. So laughable that I scoff at these companies that think they're smarter than their customer.
This isn't a hate-on blog against the actual models who are just doing their jobs; but, the underlying message disseminated by these grotesquely false advertisement campaigns is truly pathetic.
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