Yes, Aerie is widely recognized for its strong commitment to body positivity and has been a pioneer in promoting realistic body image in retail.
Aerie's Approach to Body Positivity
Aerie has set itself apart in the retail landscape through its innovative and inclusive marketing strategies. Their efforts have significantly contributed to shifting beauty standards and promoting self-acceptance among consumers.
Key aspects of Aerie's body positivity initiatives include:
- Elimination of Digital Retouching: In 2014, Aerie made a significant commitment by ceasing the digital retouching of models in their campaigns. This decision was a deliberate effort to showcase women's bodies authentically, without alterations, reflecting a more natural and diverse range of appearances.
- The #AerieReal Campaign: Alongside their no-retouching policy, Aerie launched the #AerieReal spokesmodel program. This initiative features a diverse cast of female models who represent various body types, challenging traditional, narrow beauty ideals often perpetuated in advertising. The campaign was groundbreaking, addressing a void in the retail industry for authentic representation.
- Industry Revolution: The brand's leadership noted that these campaigns revolutionized the retail space by introducing something unprecedented – a widespread, genuine embrace of diverse body images. This approach has not only resonated with a broad audience but has also influenced other brands to reconsider their own marketing practices.
Through these consistent efforts, Aerie actively encourages self-love, self-acceptance, and challenges conventional beauty norms, establishing itself as a leading voice in the body positivity movement.
