At first it seemed like more of the same when Victoria's Secret dropped their most recent campaign. There was the typical lineup of thin models posing in the company's latest styles, but something about this was different. The company had decided to scrawl across its newest ads the phrase "The Perfect Body," and that was probably the biggest mistake it has made in decades.
Instantly, the company started to face consumer backlash from women who are not a Size 2, according to the New York Post, and are fine with that. The feeling was that Victoria's Secret was sending the message that if you are not stick-thin, then there is something wrong with you, and it turned into a notion it had to correct — quickly.
Three British college students began a petition on change.org that currently has more than 30,000 signatures.
"Every day women are bombarded with advertisements aimed at making them feel insecure about their bodies in the hope that they will spend money on products that will supposedly make them happier and more beautiful. 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,'" was their official stance, and many people seemed to agree.
Eventually, Victoria's Secret took a closer look at its "The Perfect Body" campaign and changed it to "A Body For Every Body." While this definitely sits better with the general public, has the damage already been done? While the retailer obviously caters to grown women, its Pink line is popular among teen girls. The advertising always features tiny bodies even in pajama pants and hoodies, so the message is already loud and clear that excessive thinness is preferable to a stronger, healthier body.
While Victoria's Secret corrected a campaign that was deemed offensive to many, should they also take steps to encourage a healthier body image overall?
Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
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