14 DAY TRIAL // The fashion industry is going through a major transformation, one that many did not even deem possible a few years ago: it’s expanding its horizon to include plus-size models as well. While many companies are still opposing said inclusion of models of a different body size, it would seem that televisions too have the same attitude, as both ABC and Fox have turned down ads for Lane Bryant, Fox News informs.
In an ad for Lane Bryant’s latest Cacique collection, we see a plus-size yet incredibly gorgeous model showing off her curves in a stunning two-piece lingerie item. “Mom always said beauty is skin deep. Somehow, I don’t think this is what Mom had in mind,” a voice-over says, as the girl in the video prepares to go out on a romantic date, dressed in nothing but lingerie and, of course, an overcoat.
Lane Bryant took the ad to Fox first to have it running on breaks on American Idol, says Fox News. The network initially refused to air it, saying that it showed too much cleavage and that it needed more editing to make it appropriate for daytime. When the lingerie company pointed out that Fox had already included ads for Victoria’s Secret without a problem, the issue was dropped. ABC, though, would not give in and bluntly refused to air the half-a-minute clip.
The plus-size lingerie company wanted the ad in one of the breaks on the highly popular Dancing With the Stars on ABC. After seeing it, the network deemed it too much, in what Lane Bryant sees as a clear discrimination against curvier women, since there seems to be absolutely no problem with similar adverts showing, this time, skinnier girls. “The cleavage of the plus-size models, they said, was excessive, and we don’t think that’s the case. It certainly appears to be discrimination against full-sized women,” a Lane Bryant insider tells Fox News of the reason given for ABC’s refusal.
“Our new commercials represent the sensuality of the curvy woman who has more to show the world than the typical waif-like lingerie model. What we didn’t know was that the networks, which regularly run Victoria’s Secret and Playtex advertising on the very shows from which we’re restricted, would object to a different view of beauty. If Victoria’s Secret and Playtex can run ads at any time during the 9pm to 10pm hour, why is Lane Bryant restricted only to the final 10 minutes?” a statement from the company also reads.
The Lane Bryant ad has also been uploaded on YouTube since the ban, aside from the official webpage of the company. You can see it here, but *be advised that some discretion is advised.