THE OWNER of a Queensland swimwear brand, who has been accused of 'slut-shaming' a young model, has hit back at critics - saying she is the victim in the online ordeal. In September , Aquadiva Swimwear approached year-old model and Instagram influencer Stevie Alger to be part of a paid swimsuit photoshoot.
Several months after the photos were taken, Allison Appleby, who owns the label, notified Ms Alger that one of the photos they shot would be used on a poster at a popup shop on the Gold Coast. Ms Alger responded to the message asking which image would be used, and how it would be printed. Mrs Appleby explained that the image, which is of Ms Alger in a black one-piece, would be printed on a poster.
The young model "quickly replied" with her concern, explaining why she wasn't comfortable with the brand using the particular image of her in a swimsuit. Don't you like our swimwear? After not receiving a response from Ms Alger, Mrs Appleby replied with what has been labelled a 'slut-shaming' remark towards the young model. From Allison. Ms Alger then responded, saying the exchange was one of the "meanest and rudest messages" she'd ever received.
On Wednesday, Ms Alger's boyfriend made the conversation public on his Instagram account, a move Mrs Appleby says is a blatant attempt at "ruining her brand". Speaking of various images on Ms Alger's Facebook page, the designer said she couldn't understand the model's problem with Aquadiva's photo.
I just think she no longer wants to be associated with our brand. Mrs Appleby said while she has apologised to Ms Alger for "stupidly lashing out" several times on Instagram, she had no intention on 'slut-shaming' her. I didn't call her a name, I just made a statement about a photo on her Instagram.
