You want real women in your campaign, use them. That means ones with flaws; scars on their faces, hair that doesn't lay quite right, too short, too fat, too anything. These are the women we want to see on our tv. These are the women I want to see in my magazines. These are the people we want to buy products from; not some airbrushed within an inch of her life wanna be model with the IQ of cheese puffs.
No more.
I want intelligent marketing. I want a company that doesn't treat me like a moron. I want a company that's not going to make me feel bad when I shop their stores. I don't want to feel like crap about my body.
I want to celebrate it.
I want to cherish it. I want to be proud of making it as far as it has in this crazy life. That means there are scars. There are flaws. There are fat rolls. Do not airbrush me over. Make me the poster child of normal.
Because that's what we are. Normal. We're the people you run into on the street, or in the store. We're the people who give advice on products, clothes or makeup. We are the ones you want to be bowing down to now. We are the ones to which you should be catering. We are millions.
Your perfect ones are few.
We are human. We are real. Use us as your average. Don't make us fall short of yet another bar we didn't know we had to reach. Don't make us feel bad for being real.
Stop sending the message that only thin is beautiful. Don't set that standard for the masses. Be better. Step above. Show us that you have the courage to show everyone what real looks like.
Your idea of "perfection" is flawed. It is my flaws and the flaws of those in the real world where I find my perfection.
YEEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!
ReplyDeleteBRAVO! I think we should start a new company and do advertising our own damn way. No airbrushing, no fake eyelashes, no skinny "plus size" models.
ReplyDeleteA.FRACKIN.MEN.
ReplyDeleteSing it sista! I'm so tired of feeling bad about my body.
ReplyDeleteAmen!! :D I'm so glad you posted this, Anda. More bloggers need to stand up and give us REAL WOMEN a voice!
ReplyDeleteBest. Post. Ever. !!!!!
ReplyDeleteYes! I'm sick of seeing people who are a size 8 model for "plus size" advertisements, that just seems horribly wrong.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a touchy subject. Let me first start out by saying that I agree with you wholeheartedly. At the same time, we "real" women keep allowing fashion magazines and clothing lines to keep getting away with it. We (women, in general) keep buying Vogue magazines and we keep slaving away at the gym to fit into those "must have" skinny jeans on that commercial on TV. More women need to adjust their attitudes on fitness to be that of, "I exercise to be a healthy woman." and not "I exercise and barf my food up because skinny is HOT."
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with TheRunningJewess, it is COMPLETELY absurd that a size 8/10 is considered plus size. I thought that was average??
AMEN-That is all-AMEN
ReplyDeleteHo boy, am I with you! But I have to stand beside Katierunsthis. As a professional, I AM A MARKETER, so let me give you the inside scoop.
ReplyDeleteYou have the power to make this happen! YOU can force companies to stop using stick thin, dying models. YOU can force companies to stop air brushing photos so that you can see the models' imprefections.
What do you need to do? STOP BUYING. Companies only speak one language: money. You don't like the models your make up brand uses? Stop buying it. You don't like the models your clothing brands use? Stop buying them.
This is where the system breaks down. "Oh, I want them to use real women in their marketing, but I'm not willing to go without my make up and designer clothes..."
You can only change what YOU are WILLING to change about YOURSELF.
You just said everything I have been preaching for years! Great post! Amen! "IQ of a cheesepuff..."<---SO true!
ReplyDeleteSarah @ Thinfluenced
Great post and great comments!! One thing I'd like to say in defense of models is that they, too, are real women...and in some cases, their extreme thinness is just the other side of the same coin. In many cases they are operating from the same fears and doubts...and being exploited (and airbrushed). I say let's band together as women to celebrate ALL shapes and sizes and promote health too! And while we're at it, let's ban airbrushing!
ReplyDeleteAGREED!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I needed it today. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteExcellent!! Fantastic post and equally fantastic comments!
ReplyDeleteI think this post is wonderful!!! My only point of contention would be the cheese puff comment that bolsters the ages-old stereotype that models aren't intelligent. That seems like a sweeping generalization, and you're way too intelligent for that!
ReplyDeleteYES HELLS YES WOMAN!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love this Post Amen to THAT !
ReplyDeleteIm also on a weight loss journey and decided to document it for the accountability. I can sure use your support. If you'd like to check it out it's http://www.slendersplendor.com
I started on June 7th and today I lost 1 inch from my waist, approx an 1 inch from my hips and almost 4 pounds.
AMEN!
ReplyDeleteCan I add that I also want REAL clothes! I don't want t shirts that go to my elbows, I don't wear prints and guess what I don't want u-neck filmy tops that tie or ( worse) are elasticized at just below my waist. I don't want wide leg or skinny leg pants. I want straight leg, classic lines. I don't want either black or splotches of color. I want the same friggen look in a 14 that I see in a 6.. and guess what? I can pull it off!
ReplyDelete