Adidas this week launched its “Pride 2023” swimwear collection, advertising bathing suits on its web site under the “women’s” section with the help of a model that appeared to be male.
NYP reports that Adidas this week launched its “Pride 2023” swimwear collection, advertising bathing suits on its web site under the “women’s” section with the help of a model that appeared to be male.
One of the bathing suits — a colorful one-piece called the “Pride Swimsuit” that was being advertised for $70 — was being shown off by an apparently male model who also was also displaying a noticeable bulge in the crotch area.
An accompanying video on Adidas’ site shows the model sashaying in the one-piece, with the camera at one point zooming to reveal a patch of chest hair rising above the neckline.
It was unclear if the model identifies as a male or is transgender.
Adidas and Mnisi didn’t immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
The new line by South African designer Rich Mnisi, dubbed “Let Love Be Your Legacy” and released ahead of Pride Month in June, is “a celebration of self-expression, imagination and the unwavering belief that love unites,” according to Adidas’ site.
In a press release on Monday, Adidas said the line “is inspired by a love letter Mnisi wrote to his younger self,” serving as “a rallying cry for active allyship to empower and champion the LGBTQIA+ community.”
Internet personality Oli London tweeted the screenshots from Adidas’ site on Wednesday morning with the caption: “The new Adidas Women’s Swimwear Range modeled by…men.”
By the afternoon, more than 1.1 million Twitter users saw the tweet — many of which were quick to slam the brand for going “woke.”
Among the replies was one former NCAA swim star and women’s rights activist Riley Gaines. “Women’s swimsuits aren’t accessorized with a bulge,” she tweeted.
The swimsuit isn’t the only clothing item in Adidas’ new Pride line labeled under “Women’s,” but seemingly modeled by males.
Women’s dresses, T-shirts, shorts and soccer jerseys touting “Love Wins” are also seen online being worn by models who appeared to be male.
Only the women’s plus-size clothing was shown on a model who appeared female.
Source - NYP/Twitter - Video source - NYP/Youtube