A mannequin has hit again at “ridiculous” web critics who physique shamed her over her tattoos after she appeared in a Primark advert on social media.
elfast magnificence Stefanie Lee featured in an Instagram publish by the style large promoting a costume and a shoulder bag which attracted tons of of feedback.
However it was her physique artwork quite than the clothes which caught the eye of some mean-spirited trend followers with some moaning they “couldn’t see” the costume due to her tattoos and others claiming her ink was faux.
NEEDLEWORK: Stefanie completely satisfied at her day job yesterday
Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX
Type influencer Stefanie (31), who additionally works as a tattoo artist at India Avenue Tattoo in south Belfast, dismissed the criticism and mentioned it was proper tattooed girls are actually being represented in mainstream promoting.
The mannequin, who has practically 150,000 followers on Instagram, mentioned: “At first I used to be completely shocked. I’ve been lucky sufficient to not come underneath direct criticism on Instagram prior to now regardless of having fairly an enormous following, so it was uncommon to see something unfavourable, not to mention one thing so harsh.
“I did form of giggle it off, however realised it affected me greater than I believed it will.
“Concerning individuals who ‘couldn’t see the costume’ it simply appears a little bit of a ridiculous factor to say. You put on garments to look good on you. It’s about enhancing what you appear to be, not simply showcasing a costume.
The Primark advert she appeared in
“The suggestion that the tattoos weren’t actual was simply unusual to me. I’m unsure why somebody would put faux tattoos on for an image.
“I feel individuals want to grasp that folks of the world are available all shapes, sizes and colors and never everybody goes to appear to be you. I’m going to symbolize a big inhabitants of tattooed girls who haven’t beforehand seen folks that appear to be them promoting common clothes.
“In the identical manner plus sized fashions, fashions of various ethnicities, fashions with disabilities and so forth ought to at all times be used to symbolize the totally different individuals in our communities.”
Stefanie wore a quilted over-the-shoulder bag and floral-embellished costume in matching gentle cream however the outfit was misplaced on a few of Primark’s followers who have been distracted by her physique artwork.
“Tatts don’t look actual to me,” mentioned one cynical Instagram person. ”Why use faux tats,” complained one other who mentioned it “seems silly.”
One critic complained the tattoos have been “taking consideration away from the costume”, with others agreeing saying they “overshadowed” the look or that they “can’t actually see the costume only a load of tattoos.”
A mannequin shot she posted to her Instagram account
Regardless of the negativity Stefanie, who not too long ago signed for ACA Fashions, additionally gained plenty of assist following the backlash and mentioned these with nothing good to say ought to say nothing.
She mentioned: “I truly was overwhelmed by the quantity of assist individuals confirmed me each on the publish and in my messages.
“I feel it’s nonetheless a bit uncommon to see closely tattooed individuals out and about, even once I see different closely tattooed individuals they’ll catch my eye, so that you do discover that folks will very often stare however I’ve by no means acquired something however compliments on them in public.
“I haven’t had any negativity about them on my Instagram up till the Primark publish so once I noticed the feedback I couldn’t consider individuals have been nonetheless so horrified by tattoos. I believed they have been fairly a traditional factor in at present’s society.
“I like Instagram being a spot to unfold love and never hate. Lifting others up and never dragging individuals down.
“It feels good to be good, it might probably actually make somebody’s complete day to listen to one thing form and should you’ve acquired nothing good to say then simply don’t say something in any respect.
“It brings nothing to your life to tear individuals down, it doesn’t make you look or really feel any higher.
“I’ve seen Primark shops previously have had massive photographs of tattooed males within the home windows which then makes me surprise if a number of tattoos are by some means solely acceptable in promoting if they’re on a person’s physique.
“I’ve additionally discovered this on quite a few on-line shops the place the male fashions are closely tattooed and the females maybe solely have a few tattoos.”
A mannequin shot she posted to her Instagram account
Stefanie’s on-line influencer profile exploded throughout lockdown as she was unable to work as a tattoo artist so centered her consideration on her type and trend modelling on Instagram.
Regardless of returning to the tattoo studio not too long ago, the previous Miss Northern Eire finalist has continued to broaden her modelling work, endeavor her first shoot for ACA final week.
She added: “I like being each a tattoo artist and an influencer and want to maintain each going equally if doable.
“I like the creativity and number of each jobs and the alternatives they create. I used to be truly signed to ACA once I was 17 earlier than I had my tattoos and I’m actually happy to see they’ve acknowledged a necessity and need for various fashions at present and I’m actually excited to see the place it goes from right here.”
