Kyle Dandrea, Staff Editor
People have imperfections: curves, stretch marks, birthmarks, blemishes, and tattoos. However, companies everywhere use computer software to delete these flaws, portraying the models as perfect. Are companies okay with setting unrealistic expectations for teenagers? Recently, Aerie, a company by American Eagle, set new standards for their models- no airbrush and no editing. The purpose of Aerie Real is to illuminate the natural beauty of the women they photograph. “They are still models. They are still gorgeous. They just look a little bit more like the rest of us,” ABC news reporter Juju Chang said. Society has manipulated the minds of teens to think that they need to look like the flawless supermodels seen in ads everywhere. Aerie decided to go real in order to influence these young girls and help them realize that they do not need to perfect in order to be beautiful. “Our customers represent this great demographic and don't really get to see what girls their age look like,” one American Eagle employee said on ABC news. What customers do see are petite and flawless models in ads such as those by Victoria's Secret. Their skin is smooth, their smiles are perfect, and their stomachs are flat. “Everyone loves Victoria Secret models, and it makes everyone want to look like them, even though it’s very unrealistic,” NHS junior Carly Grossano said. “Arie is removing these unrealistic expectations and setting reasonable standards.” Diane Frazzetta, the mother of NHS graduate Lauren, reflects Grossano’s statement through her personal experience. “My daughter is always looking through Victoria’s Secret catalogs, and sometimes I find myself staring in amazement,” she laughed. “It’s impossible to look that good!” The new advertisement is just as effective to the company as it is to its customers. “I think American Eagle will make more money now because they’re making people feel acceptable. I definitely think real models will make people want to shop at their store,” NHS sophomore Anika Dholakia said. Aerie Real’s new advertisment policy sets realistic expectations for women in our society. The models will set standards that the average person is able to achieve, which will make the advertisements much more effective.
Photo credit to www.ae.com/aerie.
