I spend a lot of time on Tumblr because it’s a happenin’ place.

Last night these photos were in my feed.

At first I thought, “Wow. Look at these beautiful swimsuits and these beautiful women modeling them. I’m so happy to have some body diversity up in here!”

Then I looked closer.

NOW….

BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER WITH THIS POST I WANT TO STATE THAT I THINK THESE WOMEN ARE ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.

I’m upset that I have to use their bodies as Photoshop examples, but I think what I’m going to say is important for ALL women.

The above photos are from Monif C, an online retailer “that offers designer plus size clothing for modern and confident plus size women.”

Unfortunately they have been caught red handed by ME for photoshopping cellulite off their beautiful models.

How can I tell they used Photoshop?

Well, for those who don’t want to just “trust me” from a few pixelated images (even though I can CLEARLY tell the smoothing tool, surface blur and other photo manipulation tools have been used on these women) I will offer you another, probably better, example.

Here is a picture of model Denise Bidot in an advertisement for Monif C Swimwear.

And another

STUNNING RIGHT?!?!?!

Now….

Here is an ACTUAL picture of Denise Bidot.

And another

STILL STUNNING!!!!!!!!!

What I am pointing out is not that Denise Bidot has cellulite, but the fact that Denise Bidot does NOT have cellulite in the advertisements.

Monif C, a plus size fashion retailer, is guilty of using the same played out tactics to sell women unattainable beauty standards that we’ve been seeing for years.

I’m torn because this store sells really cool clothing to women who, until recently, didn’t have access to these fashions as they weren’t made in their size, so for that, I applaud them.

But that’s where my applause stops.

Let me show you an example on the completely other end of the spectrum.

This is model Karlie Kloss.

This photo was printed in the magazine Numero.

Now here’s the REAL Karlie Kloss.

Now…

What do all of these photoshopped images have in common?

(Jeopardy theme playing in background)

THAT’S RIGHT!!!!

They tell viewers that cellulite isn’t beautiful…that ribs aren’t beautiful!

THAT WOMEN’S REAL BODIES AREN’T BEAUTIFUL.

These magazines and these online retailers are using bodies that AREN’T EVEN REAL to sell you things.

KARLIE KLOSS AND DENISE BIDOT DON’T LOOK LIKE THAT!

And neither do any of the other millions of women we see in mass media every year, brainwashing us into feeling bad about our own bodies

I’m just….so…..tired of it.

WE ARE ALL GREAT!!!

DON’T YOU GET IT?

We need to start having real representation of women in the media, not just some “idea” of beauty setting the standard for us all to aspire to.

Let’s make #LOVEYOURCELLS a trending hashtag on Instagram and Twitter!!!!!!!!

Cindy Crawford once said, “I wish I looked like Cindy Crawford,” when referring to her image portrayed in the media.

I recently found this unphotoshopped image of model Brittnee Blair on Tumblr.

Now THIS is a step in the right direction!

I want to buy what she’s selling!

If I have a daughter I want her to be able to open a magazine without feeling ashamed of her body. I want her to see other women that she can relate to, whether she is fat OR thin.

As it stands right now? There’s no way in hell I’d ever let her near a Vogue.

But if we could just remove the computerized perfection…If we could just see bodies for what they really are…bones, fat, flesh, skin…

Last summer I did a photoshoot at the beach, but never posted the photos because you could see cellulite on my butt.

Well, I put everyone else’s body under a microscope, so here’s mine.

(you might not see much, but I was very upset about my body when I first saw this…remember, we all have our “stuff”).

But shit, look how much fun I’m having!!!!!

So Dear Monif C, I challenge you to do what Modcloth did and sign the Heroes Pledge for Advertisers.

What is the Heroes Pledge for Advertisers you ask?

Here are the direct quotes from their Pledge Form, which I personally signed this morning!

Recognizing the part we can play in protecting children from the effects of “photoshopped” ads, we/I sign the Truth in Advertising Heroes Pledge agreeing:

1. To do our best not to change the shape, size, proportion, color and/or remove/enhance the physical features, of the people in our ads in post-production.

2. That if we do materially change* the people in our ad(s), we will add a “Truth In Advertising” label to these ads to ensure consumers, in particular children and teens, do not confuse an advertising “ideal” with what’s real.

3. Not to run these ads in media where children under 13 might see them.

* Material change means only changes to a person’s shape, size, proportion, color, removal and/or enhancement of individual features. If you want to Photoshop a blue sky bluer; clean up a fly-away hair; fix a dog’s smile…have at it; because no harm results.

Come on Monif C…YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And on that note, I leave you with this :)

mmmm burgers…

LATER DUDES,

XX-HOTPANTS