New York fashion emporium Barney’s is teaming up with Disney for this year’s holiday promotion, entitled “Electric Holiday.”
The campaign features a 3-D film in which Disney’s most iconic and beloved character’s appear as supermodels in Paris, strutting the catwalks in designer fashions.
Early images have leaked, and fury over the reed thin physiques given to Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck and Goofy has caused quite a stir.
Enraged activists and parents alike, have banded together against the re-proportioning of the characters, saying that they send a negative body image message to children.
Granted, the bodies are exaggerated to an extreme. But is it all in good fun, or truly problematic?
Barney’s is one of the most high-end retailers in the country. It has only 11 outposts in the United States, all of which are in status locations.
The company is also known for it’s irreverent and humorous approach to marketing, especially in its holiday windows. Even the Queen of England was not immune to their witty treatment.
Barney’s does not market to children. It is not a national chain. It certainly does not cater to the masses. Those who are the target clientele will most likely respond favorably to this film. So where is the harm? Without all of this press, how many children would actually be affected by it?
Join me on Huff Post Live this Friday, October 19, at 1:00 Eastern Standard Time, as we debate whether or not Barney’s and Disney is sending a negative message to young girls about body image.