Fashion must adapt to new times. Although we can see how for a few years now companies dedicated to this industry have been trying to be as inclusive as possible and make clothes for everyone (of all kinds of sizes, colors and shapes), there is still a long way to go in terms of total inclusion.
In an effort to be a pioneering company and embrace dissident realities, the Bonds clothing brand has launched a swimsuit campaign that includes different models, including non-binary people.
Although the campaign is aimed at this year’s Pride and uses trans people, drag queens, bisexuals, pansexuals and non-binary people as mannequins, it has been Mikey’s image that has caused controversy.
As can be seen in the photo, this is a person who presents a male gender (aesthetic) expression, since he has a beard, body hair and is 1.99 meters tall, as well as having a bulge under his bikini bottoms. .
Many regular buyers of the Australian clothing brand have cried out and confirmed that they will stop buying from this company, since they find the photos of the ‘man’ in a bikini to be a mockery.
Although Mikey has received a lot of attention and has had to deal with hundreds of comments online due to his gender being questioned, his companion has also suffered the consequences of a society with little education on gender, sex and diversity issues. Due to the lack of information and existing prejudices, thousands of people have questioned whether the model is ‘non-binary’ and have directly categorized her as a woman.
”I used to buy bonds (but) I won’t anymore; seeing a man dressed in women’s clothing is very unpleasant” or ”All my previous purchases go directly into the trash. Nobody needs this trash” are some of the comments that can be read on platforms and social networks such as X (previously known as Twitter), Facebook or Instagram. Many argue that this is a lack of respect for women and even the feminist movement, something that is far from the brand’s original intention with this advertisement.
While countless people have criticized the campaign, many others have congratulated the company for being so “brave” and for showing the reality of non-binary people, as well as for challenging the gender roles and rules that have been to follow ‘men’ and ‘women’ when it comes to dressing.
