Victoria’s Secret Under Fire for ‘Perfect Body’ Campaign

Victoria’s Secret has been put in the hot seat by three young women from the United Kingdom who are asking that the lingerie brand apologize for their new bra campaign entitled “The Perfect Body” which they say sends the wrong message to women, reports the Daily Mail.

Frances Black, Gabriella Kountourides, and Laura Ferris, all students at Leed’s University, reportedly came across a poster at a mall of three Victoria’s Secret models donning push up bras while flaunting chiseled stomachs and legs. Outraged by what they saw, the girls started an online petition asking for an amendment of the campaign.

“We would like Victoria’s Secret to change the wording on their advertisements for their bra range Body, to something that does not promote unhealthy and unrealistic standards of beauty,” the petition reads.

The girls insist that this new campaign is harmful because it sets unrealistic standards of beauty for women. Furthermore, by positioning the phrase “The Perfect Body” across their tall, thin, and toned supermodels only caters to one body type.

“All this does is perpetuate low self-esteem among women who are made to feel that their bodies are inadequate and unattractive because they do not fit into a narrow standard of beauty. It contributes to a culture that encourages serious health problems such as negative body image and eating disorders,” the petition continues.

The online petition reached more than 3,000 signatures as of Wednesday morning and has garnered significant media attention. The hashtag “iamperfect” was started on Twitter by those who agree that the advertisements are irresponsible. Many supporters are turning directly to change.org to explain their reason for signing. 

“Society needs to change the way they view a woman’s appearance. As a former Victoria’s Secret employee, I know that the company was developed to design lingerie to make women feel better about themselves. The marketing team apparently didn’t get the memo,” Amanda Snyder, former Victoria’s Secret employee, wrote.

“Body shaming is irresponsible and damaging. As is setting a specific standard of beauty and perfection. As women, we need to be encouraged and celebrated in all our appearances and not pigeonholed. For male campaigns this can also be an issue that needs adressing,” wrote Hannah Welby.