Speaking on behalf of my fellow collegiettes who are constantly under the pressure to not eat this, and to look like that; I would like to say thank you, aerie.
In mid-January, aerie released their Spring 2014 campaign, “aerie Real.” This campaign eliminates retouching photos, and features models of several body types. The goal of #aeriereal is for females to feel more confident in their own skin, and less stressed to look like a supermodel.
Everyday we’re consumed with retouched photographs of thin supermodels and because of it we’ve become the “I want to look like that,” generation. Suddenly, college females are undervaluing their beauty just because they don’t look like that. Aerie’s Fashion Editor, Jenny Altman said to PR Newsire, “In an industry that promotes an unrealistic fantasy about women’s bodies, I have joined aerie for an incredible campaign that celebrates the power and beauty of real women.”
Thigh gap. Skinny arms. Apparent collarbone. If I had a penny for how many times a day college girls talked about how they want any or all of those things, I could pay every student at Fairfield’s tuition. And to be honest, I would be lying if I said I haven’t participated in conversations regarding the ‘thigh gap’ phenomenon myself. If your legs are naturally thin, then embrace it. But if you’re like me, and your thighs enjoy being close (literally), then that should be embraced too. As with most things, it is easier said than done especially because I have yet to see a photo of a girl with thighs similar to mine in the media … until aerie Real.
“The Real You is Sexy,” is the slogan you’ll be seeing this spring on the photographs of the aerie models. Remember it. With the help of this campaign, I hope that we can eliminate opening a magazine and saying, “I want to look like that,” and instead say, “I do not need to look like that.”
Working together as well-rounded, educated collegiates, let’s challenge the social stigma that being beautiful requires being thin. Nothing is wrong with being thin, nothing is wrong with being curvy, nothing is wrong with being you.
You do not have to face anything alone. Call the Health Center at (203) 254-4000, ext. 2241 or the National Eating Disorders Association Information and Referral Helpline at 800-931-2237.