In a bold move for lingerie giant Victoria’s Secret, the company has just released unretouched photos of this year’s famous Fantasy Bra, worn by Jasmine Tookes – the first black woman to model the coveted bra in nine years.
“I had no idea that I was going to be chosen to wear the Bright Night Fantasy Bra,’” she told Daily Mail Online.
“It was such a surprise to me.”
While Victoria’s Secret has often been criticised for unrealistic photo shopping and promoting impossible body standards, they have seemingly taken a step in a new direction and embraced their models’ natural imperfections and flaws.
In the images, 24-year-old Jasmine’s stretch marks on her upper thighs have been left au naturel, as she models the $3 million Bright Night Fantasy Bra.
She will model the 450-carat, diamond and emerald encrusted bra on the runway next month during the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Paris.
Locally, Kiwi underwear brand Lonely Hearts have made a name for themselves by embracing natural silhouettes and celebrating diverse women in a realistic way.
Celebrities including Lena Dunham, Jemima Kirke, Gigi Hadid and Kim Kardashian have all been spotted wearing the brand.
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Girls stars Lena Dunham and Jemima Kirke
Another lingerie brand, Aerie, increased their revenue by 20 per cent when they stopped retouching models, according to Stuff
While Victoria’s Secret has yet to comment on whether or not the image was left unedited on purpose , earlier this year, a Victoria Secret’s photo editor spoke to Refinery29 having to often “add flesh and blur out ribs” to their models, who all flaunt a noticeably taut and trim figure.
“Adding meat on their bones” is standard, she said. “We have to curve them out. Models are thinner than you actually think they are, and we retouch them to look rounder.
