Actions speak louder than headline-grabbing gestures

Reppin' the Hanes T-shirts, that many plus size people will not be able to purchase. The shirt does actually go up to a 3X, which makes us think that Urban Outfitters consciously decided not to stock any size above an L – despite the option to go bigger being available to them.  However, many argue that the campaign is a great way to kick off 2017 along with the latest Bottega Veneta 50th Anniversary campaign. The class of '17 includes industry legends such as trans model Hari Nef plus new faces; Alton Mason,  Samia Hampstead and petite model Genesis Vega.

 In a interview with the UO team, Barbie spoke about the first time she realized she was having an impact on the modelling industry; "I think on Tumblr, definitely. I was very insecure with myself when I was younger, but I was on Tumblr at 14. I was taking a lot of selfies and had a little following. When I started modelling I finally had a full body picture and people were like. Oh my god. I've never seen anything like this. Even just looking at it brings me to tears," and I can relate to that because If I saw a curvy girl on a cover of a magazine or in a movie I would be brought to tears. Like wow, I am allowed to look like this and be beautiful." 

However is this campaign truly the beginning of an Urban Outfitters plus size collection? Or is it simply down to marketing strategy, Competitor Aerie saw a 26% increase in sales after introducing its un-retouched "Aerie Real" campaign. Models like Ferreria, and fellow plus-size star Ashley Graham are commanding increasing attention — and cover space — from typical straight-size models. "Being body positive is trendy and profitable for retailers these days." But the old motto: If you are going to talk the talk, you have to walk the walk. Given Urban Outfitters' poor track record on body image (who can forget the "Eat Less" shirts? Inappropriate Irish sterotype shirt? ), the company has a long way to go before it's considered body positive. 

Although the campaign may be seen as an empty gesture and disappointing. Urban Outfitters has responded to the controversy with an official statement, commenting: ‘We are pleased to feature a diverse cast of creatives in this campaign, and we hope to continue to feature people who reflect the range of customers who shop at UO. 

‘We do offer XL products in select styles and we are in the process of increasing our offering. We recognize that extended sizing is a right step for us and we’re in the process of making the shift.’

It is great to hear plus-size and trans models more representation and that the brand themselves are working towards a new size plan. But currently, hiring women to promote your clothing, and then refusing to make that same product in their size? Then that's the first tasteless move of 2017.