Amazon “Body Positive” Movement Pledges to #SaySomethingNice
Social media has brought members of the fashion community together with its ability to share the most up-to-date trends and connect with others in the industry across the globe. Men and women from all over the world are able to follow their favorite fashion-forward icons and follow trends worldwide. However, social media also allows users to comment freely on photos and designs, most of the time without consequence.
Fashionistas – and many others who are active on social media – feel protected behind their computer screens. It’s much easier to be a “cyber-bully” than to be a “real life” bully. With the protection of cyberspace, the fashion industry has become a major target for insults, hurtful comments and other backlash from the general public. Users may think, “Why not? It’s not like anyone will actually see it.” This couldn’t be further from the truth.
The people behind the photos do read the comments. People do notice, and they are affected by the negativity. Social media does not need to be a hostile environment. Individuals of every gender, body type, color, culture, etc. should be proud to go out and wear an outfit that makes them feel beautiful – without the fear of being judged. There may be quite a bit of negativity fostered by social media, but people are taking action against the bullying. Recently, Amazon joined the body positive movement in a major way.
Why is the Amazon Body Positive Movement So Important?
Body-positive campaigns are rapidly emerging across social networks to promote a positive mindset for all those who feel insecure about their bodies (and let’s be honest – isn’t that all of us at some point?) Lane Bryant created a body-positive social media campaign with #ImNoAngel. We all remember the “Real Beauty” ads from Dove. Now, Amazon Fashion Europe is taking a stand to promote positive interaction on social platforms as well.
Amazon has teamed up with designer Hana Tajima, fashion model Clementine Desseaux, and a squad of notable fashion bloggers including Camille Charriere, Samar Seraqui de Buttafoco, Susie Bubble, Masha Sedgwick, Freddie Harrel, and Gala Gonzalez to create the “Say Something Nice” campaign. Amazon Fashion Europe launched a video of these inspiring women exposing the truth behind judgment and its consequences. “Comment[s] can stick with us for a lifetime,” stated designer Hana Tajima.
In the video, the women speak out about their personal experiences with judgment – not just on social media, but also out in the real world. They recall many of the insults that have been thrown at them, proving that these hurtful comments go far beyond the social media page. The women also come clean about having judged others, but recognize the severity of their actions. They vow to make a change, to not act with judgment as they have done in the past. The video sends the strong message, “Let’s make fashion and social media a place where you can experiment without judgment.”
The Government Equalities Office (GEO) conveyed a study that showed girls as young as the age of seven are becoming self-conscious of their body image. As these girls move into their teenage years, Girl Guiding UK reported there is a decline in happiness with their body image. These girls are not immune to the technological revolution that is rapidly increasing day by day. Children are on social media have their style icons, and they see the negative comments. They should not grow up believing that these negative comments are normal. They are not normal, and that is why this campaign is necessary for the seven-year-old girl, for the 20-year-old male fashion blogger, for the sixty-year-old woman daring to wear the latest trends, for people, for you, and for me.
These beautiful women, along with Amazon, are taking a stand against body shaming, against judgment, and are pledging to #SaySomethingNice. Will you?