Wyatt wows shoppers in lycra at Westfield

A Flashmob dressed in Lycra wowed shoppers when they arrived unannounced at the Westfiled super store in London. Leading the flashmob was ex Pussycat Doll Kimberley Wyatt and campaign organiser Kaya Cheyanne.

“Keeping It Real, Natural Beauty targets people of all ages, but especially young people who are more likely to be affected by media influence. We are aiming to promote positive body image as apposed to the distorted pictures we see everyday around us.

“We would like to see industries display our logo when an  image is natural and not airbrushed, not only to show support, but also  as a sign that we are moving in a positive healthier direction,” commented Kaya Cheyanne.

Kimberley Wyatt said:  “I’m supporting T4’s Battlefront Natural Beauty Campaign because shedding the pressures and opinions formed by others and choosing to be comfortable in your own skin is something I’m passionate about.  I hope to inspire others to do the same.”

Ever since the late 1950’s commercial airbrushing and retouching was considered a natural art-form earning commercial artists considerable salaries. Specifically designed for retouching photographs using fine particles of acrylic paint regulated through air compressors, their use in commercial art and advertising was widespread.

Today, you are unlikely to see a flyer without the heavy use of digital retouching. The flyer printing industry generates millions to the UK treasury alone.

Within hours of this campaign launch, some media experts had already talked down the campaigns chances of success.

Charles Nunoo who runs one of Europe’s largest multi ethnic modelling agencies said: “I can’t see this campaign working; there is just too much money involved. You have to understand that advertisers drive this market. They are basically selling a perfect lifestyle and image to match. Many models have scars and imperfections and had it not been for airbrushing they would not find work.

There is also a fine-line between applying makeup and airbrushing, in principal it would be great for people to accept natural beauty but commercially it is impractical and this campaign is unlikely to influence the fashion and beauty trade to change.”