MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

From Gigi Hadid to Deni Todorovic: Internet split as Seafolly hires 'bearded' trans ambassador

Deni Todorovic wrote, 'This marks the first time iconic Aussie swim giants @seafollyaustralia have worked with a Trans ambassador/brand partner'

BONDI BEACH, AUSTRALIA: The swimwear line, Seafolly, which is undoubtedly Australia's most well-known and recognizable brand, has recently been in the center of some controversy involving the LGBTQ+ community. By appointing non-binary activist and stylist Deni Todorovic as an official brand partner and ambassador, the swimwear brand raised eyebrows among its consumers.

Seafolly is an iconic bikini brand that has featured some of the most beautiful women in the world in its flamboyant advertising campaigns, including Miranda Kerr, Gigi Hadid, Shanina Shaik, Lara Worthington, Samantha Harris, and Jesinta Franklin. On Saturday, March 4, Todorovic declared that they had made history by becoming the first trans person to collaborate with the biggest brand in the Australian swimwear industry. The 34-year-old, who was born as a man but uses the pronouns they/them and also self-identifies as transgender, posed for a promotional photo shoot before the International Women's Day while sporting lime green Seafolly bikini bottoms and a matching cover-up.

READ MORE

British woman launches first transgender lingerie brand for those wishing to 'tuck' in their genitals

Transgender model Valentina Sampaio says she's 'proud' to be hired by Victoria's Secret despite brand's transphobic history

'A true pinch me moment!'

In an Instagram post, Todorovic wrote, "This marks the first time iconic Aussie swim giants @seafollyaustralia have worked with a Trans ambassador/brand partner. As the Chief Marketing Officer said in our initial meeting, it’s the first time of many more to come. I couldn't be more honoured."

They added, "This week I've been reminded of the many complexities of living as a trans non binary person in Australia, so to have this support from a brand I’ve admired since my days at Cosmo - is a true pinch me moment! We discussed authentic allyship and have had some very exciting conversations about how the brand can work with community. This is what allyship looks like."

'Stop the woke crap'

Many individuals praised Todorovic for their work at Seafolly and offered encouraging comments on his post. One person wrote, "I love the impact you're making on the retail industry, particularly with big brands, Deni. Amazing!" Another one added, "killing it Deni."

However, not everyone appreciated Todorovic's engagement with the brand, as one person wrote, "Bye @seafolly. Never again. Been buying swimsuits from you for many years. Never again." Whilst, another individual wrote sarcastically, "As a bearded man, i would never buy a bikini from them either."

A third person wrote, "Isn't the first lesson in marketing to know your target market. I’m not sure bearded men is SeaFolly target market. @seafolly be better and stop the woke crap." Further, a fourth Twitter user stated, "Now I get why the word 'folly' is in their brand. Makes perfect sense now."

Someone added, "For years, there have never been women in an advertising campaign for swimwear that were overweight, covered in body hair, with cellulite, with body or facial acne... and all of a sudden @seafolly wants to show us this... wtf?" "Just add it to the growing list of companies, that think marketing womens clothes etc, using men, is ok...our world is truely doomed," another person chimed in.

This article contains remarks made on the internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.