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It's not surprising that Aerie would tap some of its #AerieReal Role Models—Aly Raisman, Iskra Lawrence, and Yara Shahidi—to star in its latest swim campaign. What's special (and deeply personal) about the brand new lookbook, though, is the additional talent it booked: their mothers.
Timing the photos to Mother's Day, Aerie asked its Role Models to bring their moms to set with them, having them pose for sweet, intimate photos in the brand's swim and apparel offerings.
Lawrence appeared alongside her mother, Wilma (above); Shahidi modeled with her mom, Keri (below). Raisman, however, made it a true family affair, inviting her younger sister Chloe to also participate in the shoot.
"I thought they both did such a great job of just being confident in their own skin," the 23-year-old Olympian tells to Glamour. "The whole day was all about having fun rather than what we looked like, as everyday should be!"
"The campaign messaging is all about being confident in your own skin and celebrating the influence your role models have played in your life, so it was extra meaningful to have them involved," Raisman adds.
Raisman says her mother has always been a source of strength and inspiration for her—one that was especially important to her when she was testifying against Larry Nassar, the disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor, earlier this year.
"My mom came with me to the sentencing in court because I wanted her there," the 23-year-old recalls. "She rarely travels with me unless I feel that I really want her there for support. Having my mom there for me makes me feel so much better—she always has my back. People will not always support you along the way, so having my mom there [in court] meant a lot to me."
Raisman's mother was also instrumental in helping the athlete develop her voice and use her platform to advocate for change. "My mom always told me that character is most important," she says. "When I was younger, she always said she'd rather me have character and be kind than be first place—this especially rings true to what's going on right now…. She always encourages me to speak up when something isn't right, and is also speaking up publicly as well. I'm proud and appreciative that my mom is so passionate about fixing this disaster that happened. She is helping us put the pieces together."
"Gold medals don't make abuse OK—nothing does," Raisman continues. "Abuse is never OK. It's not easy speaking up, but it's so important because no one should ever be treated badly, ever. Abuse should never be tolerated."
Raisman's sister Chloe, meanwhile, is about to head out to college—and she feels a responsibility to advocate for her and her peers too. "It's really important to me to try and teach her lessons I’ve learned along the way [by speaking out], in hopes that it helps her as well," she says. "[Chloe] inspires me to not only speak up for the gymnastics community but also for all the college students who do not feel heard."
Through Aerie, Raisman has continued her advocacy for sexual assault survivors by designing a one-piece swimsuit that gives back to Darkness to Light, a nonprofit organization working to prevent child sexual abuse. "Everyone is a survivor of something—we're all battling something," she says. "Let's talk about it. It's OK to not be OK." Through this partnership, she's bringing attention to some of the resources available through Darkness to Light, including a free course called #FliptheSwitch, which teaches adults how to protect children in sports from sexual abuse. (Upon completion, you get a certificate signed by Raisman herself.) "Everyone can make a difference, and it starts with you being a leader in your community and taking the much needed initiative," she adds.
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"Aerie supports me and the survivors and has done so from the very beginning," Raisman says. "It's hard to find brands that genuinely care, but Aerie is one of the few and is helping me advocate for change…. Aerie constantly encourages us to be the best version of ourselves and not compare ourselves to others."
Over the past year Raisman has become more cognizant of her platform and how she can utilize it to effect change. "Using your voice to speak up for the right thing is so important—it's not easy and people may not agree with it, but that's why change is so desperately needed," she says. And there's more work to be done: "Sexual abuse is everywhere, no matter the industry. The 'Me Too' movement is far from over—we’re just getting started by using our voices."
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