In the era of the evolution of advertising, we observe a gradual evolution towards reflecting the diversity of our society. Some fashion brands welcome older models and some brands are abandoning the practice of retouching models’ photos. However, despite these positive advances, there is still a considerable way to go. A recent incident highlights this ongoing challenge. When a caring mother submitted photos of her son to children’s clothing company Oshkosh B’Gosh, management’s response was discouraging. They showed no interest in featuring him as a role model simply because the boy has Down syndrome. In the current age of advertising, we are seeing a notable shift towards reflecting the diversity of our society. Some fashion brands now feature older models, and there is a growing trend to abandon the practice of retouching models’ photos.
However, despite these positive changes, there is still a considerable way to go in our journey towards inclusivity and representation. Recently, a devoted mother sent photos of her son to children’s clothing company Oshkosh B’Gosh in hopes of having him appear as a model. Unfortunately, management showed no interest, citing only that the boy had Down syndrome. Meagan Nash and her family reside in the US state of Georgia. When children’s clothing company Oshkosh B’Gosh announced its search for models, Meagan felt elated and submitted photos of her 15-month-old son, Asher. The toddler met all of the company’s criteria: the right height, the right hair color and the right eye color. Despite the perfect fit, Meagan was met with silence after submitting her son’s photos. Meagan contacted company representatives and their response was discouraging.
They indicated they weren’t interested in featuring Asher in their next campaign because they didn’t want “a special needs baby.” Challenging their decision, the mother asked: “Did they explicitly mention that they would not choose a baby with special needs?” » as reported by The Independent. Although Meagan acknowledged that not every child can become a model, denying her son the opportunity solely on the basis of an extra chromosome strikes her as deeply unfair. Disappointed by this decision, Meagan wished the company had recognized the unique qualities Asher could bring. Determined to defend her son’s interests, she took action.
Meagan shared photos of Asher in the Facebook group “Kids with Down’s syndrome.” Photographer Crystal Barbee captured the very charming Ashley in a blue denim shirt and bow tie, and the photos immediately resonated with many. Fueled by her determination, Meagan penned a heartfelt message to the company that rejected her son: “Let’s make a difference – share so they see Asher!” This handsome boy is ready to show the world what Changing the Face of Beauty really is. Currently, Asher’s photos have garnered over 100,000 likes on Facebook. In her post, Meagan revealed, “We are working with the Changing the Face of Beauty organization and trying to get Oshkosh to use it in their ads. » She stressed that it was an agency, not the clothing company, that rejected her son.
