Debenhams has broken ranks with the rest of the high street by using un-airbrushed photography in its windows to launch new swimwear lines for the summer.
Debenhams believes that the over use of some digital photography techniques to create unrealistic body shapes and flawless skin can make women feel more insecure about their natural looks and size. The move highlights the retailer’s long standing commitment to encouraging positive body-image through minimal digital retouching.
Mark Woods, director of creative & visual, said, “As a responsible retailer we want to help customers make the most of their beauty without bombarding them with unattainable body images.
“Our campaign is all about making women feel good about themselves – not eroding their self belief and esteem by using false comparisons.
“Not only does it make sense from a moral point of view, it ticks the economic boxes as well. Millions of pounds a year are spent by organisations retouching perfectly good images.
“As a rule we only airbrush minor things like pigmentation or stray hair and rely on the natural beauty of models to make our product look great.
“We are proud to bring the issue of re-touching into the main stream when the likes of Britney Spears and Madonna are using un-airbrushed but over-lit images as a shock tactic.”
Caryn Franklin, fashion commentator and broadcaster, said, “Retailers do have the power to take a stance on digital manipulation. Fashion and beauty imagery that is honest is absolutely crucial for all women to see. I’m delighted that Debenhams has taken the lead here and customer feedback will no doubt validate this important step.”
Signage in the window will read: ‘We’ve not messed with natural beauty; this image is un-airbrushed. What do you think?’ It will also show customers an example of just how much the image could have been altered.
Jo Swinson, Lib Dem MP and co-founder Campaign for Body Confidence MP said, “It’s great news that Debenhams will be using images of real women who have not been digitally manipulated to advertise their new swimwear range.
Via EPR Network
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