Swimwear giant Seafolly has issued a bombshell statement after facing backlash over a photo of a non-binary fashion icon wearing a custom swimsuit from the brand.
Seafolly has hit back at backlash against non-binary activist Deni Todorovič after the fashion icon was named a brand partner of swimwear giant Seafolly.
Todorovič, who goes by they/them pronouns, sparked outrage after posting an image wearing a lime-green bikini with a matching cover-up and heels at a Seafolly event for World Pride.
“Today we made history! This marks the first time iconic Aussie swim giants Seafolly have worked with a Trans ambassador/brand partner … I couldn’t be more honoured,” Todorovič wrote on their Instagram.
The post sparked division online, with some threatening to boycott the popular Aussie label.
On Friday, the swimear giant issued a bombshell statement condemning the abuse and clarifying that their global ambassador and face of the brand was British model Joanna Halpin.
Seafolly celebrated Sydney World Pride 2023, by collaborating with special guest stylist and transgender advocate, Deni Todorovič. Picture: Instagram
“We would like to address the recent coverage of Seafolly’s involvement with Sydney World Pride in which Deni Todorovič was invited as a special guest and wore a custom, not-for-sale Seafolly design,” the statement read.
“On Saturday March 4, Deni attended our in-store Sydney World Pride event as our special guest.
“We chose to host this event to inspire everyone to feel seen, included and confident to be themselves at the beach.”
The brand then revealed that Deni was not an ambassador for the brand, and the face of Seafolly was UK model Joanna Halpin.
“This season our Global Ambassador and Face of the Brand is Joanna Halpin, a trailblazing model and photographer. We are passionate about supporting and uplifting women, and to broadening our representation of women living the Australian beach lifestyle.
“We are proud that our brand is inclusive and supportive of all women, including the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond.”
On Sunday, in an interview with Stellar, Joanna hinted at the scandal by stressing that the the landscape of modelling was changing.
“Brands now work with people who are not necessarily a model, more a personality,” she said.
“It’s not just limited to models in the way it was in the ’90s, with traditionally beautiful women.”
She added the modelling pool was much more diverse.
Joanna joins the likes of Lara Worthington, Gigi Hadid, Miranda Kerr and Jesinta Franklin as the brand’s ambassador.
Franklin, who was the face of Seafolly last year, also threw her support behind Todorovič.
“I find what they do so inspirational, especially as a parent, because it provides visibility to a group of people who have been silenced and pushed away for so long,” Franklin told the Herald Sun.
“Fashion is about inclusivity, it is about embracing who you are, being who you are, being authentic and I think the more brands that promote that the better, because it gives space to people who have not had that room to express themselves before.
“As a mother I want to see more of it because I want both of my children to grow up knowing that they can be 100 per cent who they are without any fear of judgment or oppression, or anything like that.
On Thursday, Todorovič shared a powerful video, responding to one comment in particular that accused them of “trying to eradicate biological women”.
“Let’s be clear about comments like this: yes, I see them, and yes, they do affect me, but I try not to let them,” they began.
“I’m going to give this person a little education. Some women do have penises, some trans women don’t feel the need to have any kind of gender [reassignment] surgery. Some of them can’t afford it. Women come in all different shapes and sizes.
“I’m also not trying to eradicate women, darling. I’m wearing bikini bottoms. I’m wearing bikini bottoms which are basically Speedos – which, last time I checked, people with penises wear Speedos.
“So many you just need to investigate and dig a little deeper as to why me, in a Speedo essentially, feels like an attack on your gender identity – because that’s not what I’m trying to do.
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