Bonds brand has come under fire after using a non-binary model in their latest bikini collection.
This has caused controversy over the representation of gender diversity in the fashion industry.
The inclusion of models that do not fall into the male or female category has sparked a protest reaction from some customers with demands to boycott the brand.
Bonds hired a non-binary model to showcase the brand's latest bikini collection
Recently, the Australian-based lingerie company introduced its Pride 2024 collection, which celebrates diversity by using transgender, feminized, and queer models—masculinity, bisexuality, and pansexuality.
However, the appearance of the model named Mikey caused outrage among some customers.
Mikey, with a height of 1.99 meters and a beard, was photographed in the 'Retro Rib™ Seamless Tonal Hi' bikini priced at $18.99.
The iconic Australian underwear brand was slammed for using a non-binary model in their bikini collection
Some customers considered the image of a masculine-looking person wearing women's clothing unacceptable and expressed their dissatisfaction on social media.
Comments on the product page and the brand's Instagram posts are filled with negative reviews and criticism.
Some customers said they would no longer buy from Bonds because they felt uncomfortable seeing a man wearing women's clothes.
There are even accusations that the brand is insulting women by using such models.
Despite the criticism, Bonds also received support from others, who praised the brand for embracing diversity and the expression of diverse identities.
This incident is not unique to the fashion industry and caused intense debate.
Recently, other brands like Rip Curl and Bud Light have faced similar backlash for using transgender models in their women's clothing campaigns.
Bonds later responded to the criticism by stating that they would delete all inappropriate or offensive comments on their social media platforms.
However, some customers remained unsatisfied, and the calls for a boycott still arose.
Bonds once fell into drug conflict with a non-binary model
Last year, Bonds also caused controversy when it hired transgender activist Deni Todorovic as a model for the 'Proud to Be Me' collection for World Pride.
However, just after a while, the conflict between Deni and the famous underwear brand Bonds occurred when Deni was said to have sent threatening emails to two senior Bonds employees.
In the email, Deni confirmed that he had pictures of both employees using drugs with him.
After that, Deni was removed from all campaigns of this brand.
