Since 2014, American Eagle’s Aerie has done away with retouching their models to push back against the “perfect body” expectation. On October 11, around 27 Penn State ladies rolled out their yoga mats “to take care of their mind and body,” Aerie Ambassador and Penn State student, Emily Chertow said. As an ambassador for Aerie Emily is able to host events like these that empower young women to embrace their bodies and themselves.
Just rolling out her yoga mat helps connect her to these girls in such an inspiring way. In reality, this event was just a bunch of girls doing yoga together, “but in the big picture played such a wonderful and special role and message,” Chertow said.
The message of Aerie Real’s campaign is a powerful one, especially in an industry that has set their standards impossibly high for women. Aerie is giving girls like Emily, “the platform to voice how powerful we are, how beautiful we are and how the real you is good enough and even more,” says Emily. While we were busy embracing our body and all its beautiful imperfections, Emily stressed the importance of events like this yoga session because, “we are capable of whatever we set our minds to, but along the way it’s important to take care of ourselves as well.”