Hi REVOLVE, I understand the desire to call out cyber bullying and make a statement.
I understand we have very serious issues at hand with social media, and trolls leaving horrid comments on profiles of beautiful and amazing people.
I understand we want this to end.
I do not understand how wearing a statement of this nature could be seen as empowering.
I do not understand how the issue of body shaming could be healed by wearing body shaming statements on your person.
I understand we want this to end.
Imagine this scenario…I’m about to board the light rail in Minneapolis.
I live passionately and desire to share my message of self-love, body confidence, worth, and value with other women. A young girl exits the doors with her mother as I walk through them, she quickly reads…”being fat is not beautiful, it’s an excuse”. What happens next? Is the image implanted on her? Does she ask her mom about it? What kind of message did I share with her in this quick passing?
Revolve had a lot to say about how their campaign wasn’t executed properly and that the images surfacing before the launch weren’t well planned.
I’d like to take this back to the initial planning phases. Who thought sharing shaming messages on shirts would be empowering?
This is not a take back of the messages. It appears to be an effort to say something to the people who spew the hate. “This doesn’t hurt me, I don’t care.”
It’s not true though.
It does hurt. I do care. I won’t take words written with harm in mind and proudly wear them as armor against the hurt I already feel inside of me.
What I will do is arm myself with love, confidence, and acceptance. I WILL wear words of encouragement, strength, and positivity on my body.
I will say, even though your words sting, I’m here standing strong. I am vulnerable and powerful in my vulnerability.
I choose not to spread your hate further, instead, I wear words bringing humans into solidarity and the truth of their worth and value.
This is the ENTIRE reason I’ve created my own I AM merchandise line. My dream is for girls/women and all identified as such to put on their armor of love in the morning. I want them to wear their self-confidence. I want them to share this confidence with the world. I want them to support and encourage others to think, feel, and act confidently too.
This is what we need more of in the world…
TO BE POSITIVE CHANGE…BEE YOU!
Our bodies are beautiful. In ALL SHAPES AND SIZES. IN ALL COLORS. IN ALL THE AMAZING DIVERSITIES OF EACH ONE OF US!
Fat is a four letter word and I can think of a lot more shaming words I don’t want to support, encourage, or use in my life and definitely not in my fashion either.
If you don’t love your body, it’s not because you’re not the right size. It’s because you haven’t learned to take care of yourself with love, care and appreciation.
You can do that. I promise you. Check out my coaching program if it interests you and for sure visit my store and buy some confidence you can wear proud and out loud.
I use as many of my proceeds as I can afford to offer programming to girls rescued from trafficking and abuse.
I believe you wear your message of love on your heart and in your eyes.
So why not your clothes?
And to Revolve…there’s no shaming here. There is however, a call to awareness. I hope with this experience your eyes open and your company progresses with more love.
xx, LVA-