In today’s world, the landscape of advertising and marketing is slowly evolving to better reflect the diversity and richness of society. There is growing recognition of the importance of inclusivity and the need to overcome traditional, stereotypical representations. However, while we have made great progress, there are moments that clearly remind us of how far we still have to go. One such incident occurred when a loving mother, Meagan Nash, submitted photos of her son Asher to the children’s clothing company Oshkosh B’Gosh but faced rejection due to her son having Down syndrome.
Advertising is changing in the times we live in and is beginning to reflect society as a whole.
Some fashion brands have been known to use senior models, while others have banned the practice of photo retouching of models.
Despite this, we still have a long way to go.
The management of children’s clothing brand Oshkosh B’Gosh recently rejected a loving mother’s request to use her son as a model after receiving pictures of the child.
Cause? He’s got Down syndrome, boy.
Georgia is the state in the USA where Meagan Nash lives with her family.
Meagan uploaded photos of her 15-month-old son Asher when children’s clothing retailer Oshkosh B’Gosh recently said they were looking for models.
A small child fully satisfies the needs of the company. He had the right height, the right hair color, and the right eye color.
However, Meagan did not hear back after sending the photos of her son.
Meagan contacted the company, who informed her that Asher would not be appearing in their upcoming ad because they did not want a “special needs child”.
“Did they say they don’t judge a child with special needs?” The Independent claims the mother got her revenge.
Meagan was angry and displeased.
Surely she could appreciate that not every child gets the opportunity to be a role model, but to reject her son because he has an extra chromosome?
Meagan decided to step in because she wished the business would give it some thought and understand how much Asher could bring them.
She uploaded pictures of her son Asher to the “Kids with Down’s syndrome” Facebook page.
Ashley, who is really sweet, was captured by photographer Crystal Barbee in a blue denim shirt and bow tie.
Meagan sent a letter to the business that passed through her son with the following message: “Let’s make a change so people can see Asher!
This charming young man is ready to represent the changing face of beauty worldwide.
At the time of writing, Asher’s pictures on Facebook have been liked by more than 100,000 people.
Megan said in the article that she and Changing the Face of Beauty tried to convince Oshkosh to use her son in their ad, while emphasizing that her child was rejected by the agency, not the clothing industry.
This incident with Asher and Oshkosh B’Gosh raises some important questions and highlights the continued need for greater inclusivity and acceptance in the fashion and advertising industries.
Additionally, it underscores the responsibility of brands and companies to consider the diverse perspectives and experiences of their customers and supporters. In today’s world, consumers are increasingly drawn to brands that embrace diversity and support social causes. Those who fail to do so risk alienating a significant portion of their audience.
In conclusion, the story of Asher’s rejection by Oshkosh B’Gosh serves as a poignant reminder of the work that remains to achieve greater inclusivity and acceptance. While significant progress has been made, there are moments that reveal the gaps that still exist. It also illustrates the potential for change through the collective action of individuals and communities. As society continues to evolve, it is critical that brands and companies recognize the importance of representing and including the full spectrum of humanity in their advertising and marketing efforts.