A swimwear company is under fire for using male models to promote women’s swimwear — with one angry woman accusing the company of “giving men power over us and saying they do it better.”
Moana Bikini, owned by Australian body positive influencer Karina Irby, shared an Instagram video on Saturday of male model Jake Young posing in a $99 lacy one-piece bathing suit.
“OBSESSED WITH THIS LOOK,” the company captioned the video, with a heart-eye emoji, noting that Young is wearing a size small.
Many in the comments section said they would unfollow the company for the video, while others blasted the brand for using men to sell women’s swimwear.
“Is that a man? I thought you were going to empower women?” an Instagram user commented.
“Men seem to be trying to take over everything that women consider sacred. Our safe space, our identity and now our fashion.”
“Sorry but Moana, this is not how you empower women,” wrote another. “This again gives men power over us and says they do it better.”
Moana Bikini shared an Instagram video on Saturday of male model Jake Young showing off a lacy $99 one-piece. Instagram/jakeytho
A third said the video was “bad advertising if the target audience is women.
“A man wearing a piece designed for women… isn’t going to make most women want to buy it.”
But others have defended the company for its “dedication to inclusivity.”
“Thank you for always being inclusive in your sizes and models!” one user wrote. “The number one reason I will always support your brand!”
Young also defended her modeling gig, writing: “There are different types of women. Women with anatomy different from what you consider ‘normal.’
“I am not a woman and I have never claimed to be. This post just empowers the minority and I am forever grateful for that.
“Your hatred is a reflection of your own insecurities, not mine.”
The company itself told critics: “If Jake in our bikini upsets you, we think it might be ‘your’ problem.”
It went on to explain, “We find it quite ridiculous that people would single out this individual post from our 13 years in business to make wild statements about us not empowering women.
“Moana Bikini is – and always will be – one of the most inclusive and empowering brands out there. This is not only in our size and style range for women, but – most importantly – in our love and acceptance of all races, ethnicities, shapes and body size, gender and sexual orientation,” a company spokesperson told the Daily Mail.
“This has not changed and will not change.
The male model is seen limping and posing in women’s swimwear in an Instagram video. Instagram/jakeytho Young defended the video saying it “empowers minorities and I’m forever grateful for that.” Instagram/jakeytho
“Many commenters use the excuse that they believe it is ‘feminine’ when in reality, it’s quite clear they are homophobic and have an issue with someone expressing their sexuality with pride and confidence,” the spokesperson added.
“We are happy to receive and listen to people’s feedback — negative and positive. But we’re not here to please everyone. That is an impossible task.
“If people aren’t happy with individual posts of gay men who are proud to wear a piece of clothing they feel confident in, they can keep scrolling or unfollow, right?”
Moana Bikini is a swimwear company owned by body positive influencer Karina Irby. Instagram/karinairby
“Imagine living a life where you choose to be offended by something and persist, comment and engage only to make yourself angrier,” the spokesperson said.
“This sounds like ‘their’ problem, not ‘our’ to be honest.”
The Post has also reached out to Moana Bikini for comment.
Categories: Trending
Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
