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18
Jun
Dacre Banks model, 55, launches body positivity campaign
A Dacre Banks model is set to launch a body confidence campaign ahead of the summer solstice.
Rachel Peru, 55, said the initiative will help to challenge ageism, promote self-acceptance and support women in living “boldly and confidently”.
The campaign will see a photoshoot held for woman aged over 40 on Scarborough beach on Friday (June 20).
Ms Peru, who will host the event alongside fellow model Tina Boden, started modelling when she was 46. She is represented by Bridge Models in London.
She told the Stray Ferret:
Within my first year I found myself modelling swimwear alongside Ashley Graham in the Bahamas and my career was launched from there. I would never have had the confidence to do what I’m doing now when I was younger.
Now, she is an activist for body positivity. She said she was keen to see more older women represented in fashion marketing.
She said:
The response on social media from other women my age was so positive because they could see a woman they relate to modelling swimwear, that ignited my passion and drive to push for better representation of older women in fashion marketing.I’m a curvy size 16, with silver white hair so not your stereotypical model figure.
The event, which is called Accepting Who We Are, will see women come together for a photoshoot to help promote body confidence.
Rachel Peru and Tina Boden will host the event on Scarborough beach.
Ms Peru said those taking part have been encouraged to wear whatever beach attire they feel comfortable in.
Afterwards, there will be a relaxed afternoon with a “bring your own picnic vibe”.
Ms Peru told the Stray Ferret that the event was about helping women to reclaim confidence in their own bodies.
She said:
We are still bombarded by magazines and advertisements about being beach body ready for summer and I talk to so many women who dread this time of year and particularly being seen at the beach.
I carried out my own body confidence survey last year asking 200 women over the age of 40 to score their body confidence from 1 to 10, 68% scored themselves 5 or below. Twenty-four per cent reported that low body confidence significantly affected their daily lives, and 5% said it had such a huge impact that it prevented them from taking part in everyday activities like going to the beach, swimming, or exercising in public.
This event is about reclaiming joy, confidence and community — reminding women that we are not invisible, and we don’t need permission to take up space.
The event on Scarborough north beach is free and will take place from 11am on Friday, June 20.
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