Aerie adds models from various fields in its efforts to be real

With un-airbrushed images and models of all shapes and sizes, American Eagle Outfitter’s intimates brand Aerie has made a name for itself by abandoning the use of Photoshop.

Now, the intimates brand is working to develop a slightly more celebrity-driven, yet-stillauthentic reputation by bringing in an actor, a singer and a gold medal gymnast who all have “influential voices, unique stories and self-made success.”

Actress-activist Yara Shahidi of the TV shows “Black-ish” and its spinoff “Grown-ish,” singersongwriter Rachel Platten, known for “Fight Song,” and gold medal gymnast Aly Raisman are joining Iskra Lawrence, a body positivity activist and the first so-called Aerie role model.

“We wanted to round out our role models because every girl looks up to someone different,” said Jennifer Foyle, Aerie global brand president.

In a competitive apparel market, Aerie has been maintaining momentum. The company in December posted its 14th consecutive quarter of comparable sales growth, a key measure that tracks sales through stores that have been open at least a year. In the third quarter, Aerie’s comparable sales rose 19 percent, or $13.5 million.

About 40 percent of its sales are from online shopping.

Aerie first launched its “AerieREAL” in 2014, a campaign that featured attractive, unpolished models, complete with the occasional visible tattoo.

Overall, the anti-airbrushing movement has been gaining traction with other retailers.

Online vintage apparel company ModCloth signed an antiphotoshopping pledge in 2014. In January, CVS Pharmacy