Sportswear giant Adidas has found itself at the center of controversy and calls for a boycott after releasing a new range of women’s swimwear featuring a model who appears to be a man. Here’s the full story.
The Launch of the Pride Collection
The company has been accused of “erasing women” and has become the latest target of conservative criticism regarding “woke” marketing strategies.
“Pride 2023” Collection
Adidas launched its “Pride 2023” collection, which includes a range of women’s swimsuits designed by South African designer Rich Mnisi to commemorate Pride Month.
Questionable Model Choice
However, the choice of a model has drawn significant backlash on social media.
Adidas Faced Severe Backlash
The model’s gender identity remains unspecified, leading to questions and speculation about representation and inclusivity in the campaign.
Sparked Widespread Outrage
The use of the male-presenting model in women’s swimwear has sparked widespread outrage and a trending hashtag #BoycottAdidas.
Public Figures Expressed Their Concerns
Prominent athletes, including U.S. swimmer turned women’s rights activist Riley Gaines, expressed their disappointment and criticized Adidas for erasing women and misrepresenting their needs.
Business Rationale of “Woke” Marketing Questioned
Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene also joined the criticism, questioning the business rationale behind alienating the majority of consumers to cater to a minority population.
The Public Argues Why Use a Man to Represent a Woman’s Product
Critics argue that companies should be more considerate in their messaging, ensuring that products marketed to women are not modeled by individuals who identify as women.
Tensions in Marketing Inclusivity and Identity Disregard
The controversy highlights the tensions between marketing inclusivity and the concerns of those who feel their experiences and identities are being disregarded.
Backlash for Controversial Collaborations
The backlash against Adidas follows similar controversies involving other major brands. Nike faced criticism for partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
Questioning the Presence of Biological Male Features
Twitter users shared their opinions on the controversial swimwear campaign, which went viral.
Presence Of Biological Male Features
Some criticized Adidas for using men to promote women’s apparel, highlighting the presence of biological male features such as a hairy chest and a bulge.
Humorous Reactions to Brands’ “Woke” Competition
Others found humor in the situation, joking that both Adidas and Nike were competing to see who could become “increasingly woke” and potentially alienate their consumer base.
One user wrote, “Hey Jesus if you’re listening, I’m ready to be beamed up now. I don’t think I’m suited to what your earthly realm has become.”
Brands Erasing Women?
Another Twitter user commented, “If men want to wear gender non-conforming clothing, sure, go ahead. But if this is aimed at female swimmers, there are thousands of wonderful, athletic females Adidas could have paid to model this.
Gender Bias In Brand Endorsements
Instead, they chose a man. Brands erasing women.”
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The post Is Femininity Being Erased? Adidas Faces Backlash for Use of Manly Models for Women’s Swimwear first appeared on Wealthy Living.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Tooykrub. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
Source: Daily Mail