From Deseret News archives:
Heavily-bundled group protests scantily-clad lingerie models
The group, comprised of about 22 people who gathered at the corner of University Parkway and State Street on Saturday, said they're joining calls from American Decency Association, The Lighted Candle Society and Parents Television Council to boycott the lingerie chain because of its TV and mall advertisements. The group said they're encouraging people to shop elsewhere until Victoria's Secret cleans up its marketing campaign.
"It's nothing against their products," Orem resident Eric Bylund, 21, said. "We just do not want to reward their inappropriate ads by giving them money."
It remains to be seen whether the group's efforts will have any impact. It was business as usual at the local Victoria's Secret inside University Mall with dozens of people perusing the store's products.
Outside the store, Rich Lewis said he didn't think the advertisements were offensive.
"They probably tame it down quite a bit here," he said. "It's a lingerie stop, what do you want 'em to show?"
In March, Victoria's Secret Chief Executive Sharen Turney said she thought the lingerie chain has become "too sexy" and that it had departed its heritage of creating an comfortable atmosphere where people can shop for their dainties. She reportedly vowed to turn that around, but the group says it feels like she's just made an empty promise.
Phone calls to the corporation seeking comment were not returned Saturday.
Cody Hill, 18, of Provo, said he feels uncomfortable just walking by the local Victoria's Secret.
"It's ridiculous to stroll through the mall and have to shield your eyes," he said. "And I'm not a kid."
The group stood out by the intersection of University Parkway and State Street for nearly two hours. Dozens of cars honked their support as temperatures dropped as low as 26 degrees Fahrenheit, and a few couldn't resist heckling.
The advertisements depicting air-brushed, half-naked women intrude into public space, the group says, and that has an adverse, lasting effect on young children.
"These are powerful images," Aaron Bylund said. "And they affect children in a negative way."
Orem resident Maria Crockett, 19, said women feel insecure and objectified when they see 7-foot high posters of women lounging in their lingerie.
"It's not fair to women to be portrayed like that," she said.
The group acknowledges the store's right to advertise, Eric Bylund said, but they want the store to make it's advertisements child and family appropriate. And until that happens, they encourage people to shop somewhere else.
"You don't even need those signs with half-naked women," he said. "(And) that kind of stuff shouldn't even exist on public TV."
E-mail: jdana@desnews.com
