'Women with different anatomy': Bikini brand uses male model to promote women's bathing suit

An Australian bikini brand has faced criticism after it used a male model to promote a women's swimwear garment.

Moana Bikini, a brand owned by an alleged body-positive influencer named Karina Irby, shared a video of a man modeling one of the company's one-piece swimsuits, which was clearly designed for a woman's body.

"Obsessed with this look," the account wrote in all caps, as it noted that the man was wearing a size small.

The post was flooded with comments from viewers who were shocked that the brand, which they believed was meant to promote body positivity for women, had used a man in its advertisement.

A spokesperson from the brand gave a lengthy comment and stood by the decision to use a male for their promotion.

"We find it quite absurd that people would cherry-pick this one, individual post from our 12 years of business to make a wild statement about us not being empowering to women," the spokesperson said.

"Moana Bikini are - and have always been - one of the most inclusive and empowering brands in existence. This is not only in terms of our size and style range for women but - most importantly - in our love and acceptance of all races, ethnicities, body shapes and sizes, genders and sexual orientations. This hasn't changed and never will change," the representative told the Daily Mail.

The $130 bathing suit was worn by a man named Jake Young; he gave his thoughts on the controversy directly on the brand's post.

"There are many different types of women. Women with different anatomy to what you consider 'normal.' I am not a woman nor have I ever claimed to be," Young wrote.

"This post is simply empowering a minority & I'm forever grateful for that. Your hate is a reflection of your own insecurities, not mine."

The bikini brand also gave a snide response to criticism on the post after one viewer asked "is that a man? I thought you were about empowering women?"

"We're sorry you feel like that. If Jake in our bikini upsets you that much we feel as though this may be a you problem," the account replied.

The brand's spokesperson when on to attribute backlash to viewers being "homophobic" and said they were using the idea of the post being "insulting to women" as an "excuse."

Despite saying they were "happy to receive" both positive and negative feedback, the brand also insisted that it was the consumer who was the problem.

"If people aren't happy with this individual post of a proud, gay man wearing a piece of clothing he feels confident in, they can just keep scrolling or unfollow, can't they?"

"Imagine living a life where you choose to be offended by something and stick around, comment and engage, only to make yourself more and more angry. This sounds like a them problem, not an us problem, to be honest," they concluded.

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