Livi Rae Lingerie Refuses to Take Down Ads Featuring Disabled and Plus-Sized Models

Livi Rae Lingerie, a lingerie company in Kennesaw, Georgia, is fighting back after it was told to remove its storefront ads which feature a model with a disability as well as plus-sized models. The company, which is know for its diversity, sells products for a variety of different body types including those who have had mastectomies as well as those with prosthetics and other disabilities.

The store’s current ad features Stacey Shortley, a model with multiple sclerosis who uses a wheelchair; Tisa Edge, an African-American model and plus-size models Marie Layne and Bubble Bordeaux.

Body shaming is real. We experienced it first hand today when our landlord asked us to remove our window display. As you can imagine, we’ve received a lot of calls asking what people can do to help. Please share these images along with the hashtag #NoShameLiviRae to help us educate the community about body shaming. Our campaign features women of all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. The media have been conducting interviews and we will be sharing those shortly to keep you updated. In the meantime, please let us know your thoughts. Are these images offensive or in bad taste to you? #noshamelivirae #RealBrasRealWomenRealStories #LiviRaeLingerie #bodyshaming

A post shared by LiviRae Lingerie (@liviraelingerie) on Mar 9, 2017 at 12:37pm PST

On Monday, the company shared a post to its Facebook page stating, “Our landlord’s told us to take down our latest campaign off of our windows because they deemed it ‘in bad taste.’ There’s not a thing wrong with our windows and we’re fighting to keep them up!”

To help get the word out, Livi Rae Lingerie invited followers to show their support using the hashtag #NoShameLivirae. “We’ve never had to clear an ad with the management property in the past. We were told that the ad is in ‘poor taste,’ but no one has explained what that means,” co-owner Cynthia Decker told Yahoo Style.

We’d like to introduce you to another one of our amazing brand ambassadors, Stacey Shortley! We love her spirit, her smiling face, and how she lights up a room. “I want to be an example having MS or not. People can do what they set their mind to. I always felt the desire to encourage anyone, at any age to never give up and to believe that they are amazing and perfect just the way they are. Even a girl in a wheelchair can be influential!” Stacey’s wearing the Affinitas “Allison Strapless” bra that you can order by calling us at (770)429-7004. #LiviRaeLingerie #RealBrasRealWomenRealStories #NoBustTooBigOrSmallWeFitEmAll   A post shared by LiviRae Lingerie (@liviraelingerie) on Mar 2, 2017 at 7:22am PST

 

“We absolutely are not taking down our windows. We poured out our heart and souls along side these everyday women who bared their bodies to help women feel better about themselves,” the store’s other owner, Molly Hopkins told The Independent.

Customers and fans shared the company’s sentiment, sharing its hashtag on social media.

I stand with them stop the double standard #noshamelivirae #bigisbeautifultoo

— Elana Murray (@ecmlol) March 14, 2017

I support #nobodyshaming #noshamelivirae well done lady’s you stick to your guns.x

— Tanya Smith-Millican (@Tan_TongasMam) March 15, 2017

#NOSHAMELIVIRAE Real bodies need clothes too! If Victoria can spread those babes all over in their undies, Livirae should too! #FB

— Sharon Masters (@thei999shadow) March 13, 2017

Thanks to an “overwhelming response from customers and fans,” Livi Rae Lingerie announced its management company is letting it keep its ad campaign.