Spa+Clinic Team Negative body image can be a serious, high-risk contributing factor to developing an eating disorder. It is often perpetuated by the experience of being judged or shamed about our looks by others – and ourselves.
Eating disorders are serious and complex mental illnesses, and have the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric illnesses. In 2014, approximately one million people suffered from eating disorders in Australia.
Faby Nails have teamed up with the Butterfly Foundation – Australia’s national organisation supporting people affected by negative body image and eating disorders – for the month of May, inviting everyone to paint their middle finger, as a symbol against negative body image.
Launching on May 6, No Diet Day, The Butterfly Foundation’s new inaugural fundraising campaign, Don’t DIS My Appearance, takes a stand against appearance-based judgment and to help fight eating disorders.
Money raised – including Faby’s donation of 100 percent of its profits from online sales of certain nail lacquers* -will go to The Butterfly Foundation for the funding of prevention, education, treatment and support services.
All Australians can join the movement and share the campaign message by painting their middle fingernails, donating to the cause, engaging in fundraising activities and sharing the message via social media using #DISnoBODY.
Encourage your clients to join the movement when they come in for their next manicure, or contact them via your regular emails or social media platforms.
‘Painting your middle finger is a cheeky and symbolic way of saying, I am more than my appearance, and no-one has a right to judge me based on how I look,’ says Christine Morgan, Butterfly Foundation CEO.
‘There is a dire shortage of effective prevention and treatment services available for eating disorder sufferers in Australia – better access to better services is desperately needed.
‘Since 2011, body image has been ranked in Mission Australia’s annual Youth Survey as one of the top three issues of personal concern. In 2014, three in ten young people indicated that they were either extremely concerned or very concerned about body image.’
High profile supporters have come on board to make a colourful statement against the harmful culture of body shaming, including TV personality Andrew O’Keefe (pictured at top), actress Brooke Satchwell, journalist Tracey Spicer, 2015 Queensland Young Australian of the Year Yassmin Adbel-Magied, social commentator Jane Caro, media personality Joe Hildebrand, rugby union greats Peter FitzSimons and Nick Farr-Jones, TV presenters Justine Clarke and Jay Laga’aia, and artist Ken Done.
‘Many people use nail polish to express themselves, and painting your middle fingernail in May is one way we can make a bold statement against people being judged or shamed based on their appearance,’ says Karon McKendrick-Taylor, Faby Nails general manager, Australia,
‘The campaign’s celebration of individuality and positive body image aligns closely with Faby’s brand values.’
Profits from online sales of the following Faby nail lacquers during the month of May will go to The Butterfly Foundation:
- Sugarful (white)
- As You Like It (rich crimson red)
- Hold My Hand (bright pink)
- For Sure Yes (dark blue)
- A Perfect Day (pink glitter)
- Simply Perfect (red
- I Can! (bright green)
- Love That! I Want! (coral pink)
- Breakthrough (dark purple)
Launched in Milan in 2013, the team behind Faby Nails has over 30 years of experience in the professional beauty industry. Faby Nail Lacquers, sold in more than 25 countries, provide eco-aware consumers a new space to play with colour, in the knowledge that they are not harming animals and the lacquers are free from harmful chemicals: www.fabyboutique.com.au, www.dontdismyappearance.org.au
