Seafolly unveils female brand ambassador amid backlash over non-binary model trends now
Swimwear giant Seafolly has announced its new global ambassador amid widespread criticism for allowing a non-binary activist to promote their brand.
British-born, New York-based model Joanna Halpin, 31, has now been named the official face of the celebrated swimwear brand's latest campaign.
Seafolly also issued a statement on Friday, insisting that they are 'supportive of all women' and that Halpin is their official ambassador, not non-binary transgender influencer Deni Todorovič.
Halpin spoke out on Saturday in an interview with the Daily Telegraph's Stellar magazine, where she appeared to subtly reference the recent furore surrounding Deni's association with Seafolly.
'Brands now work with people who are not necessarily a model, more a personality,' the stunning model said.
'It's not just limited to models in the way it was in the '90s, with traditionally beautiful women.'
Seafolly has named British-born supermodel Joanna Halpin (pictured), 31, as the face of their brand following widespread backlash for hiring a non-binary activist to promote their swimwear during WorldPride
Seafolly also issued a statement on Friday, insisting that they are 'supportive of all women' and that Halpin is their official ambassador, not non-binary transgender influencer Deni Todorovič (pictured)
On Friday, Seafolly Australia issued a statement in regards to their latest campaign, saying they continue to support and uplift women.
The statement also noted that Todorovič was not the brand's new ambassador, but rather a 'special guest' to their World Pride event in Sydney.
'We would like to address the recent coverage of Seafolly's involvement with Sydney World Pride in which Deni Todorovič was invited as a special guest, and wore a custom, not-for-sale Seafolly design,' the statement reads.
On Friday, Seafolly Australia issued a statement in regards to their latest campaign, saying they continue to support and uplift women. The statement also noted that Todorovič was not the brand's new ambassador, but rather a 'special guest' to their World Pride event in Sydney
'On Saturday 4th March, Deni attended our in-store Sydney World Pride event as out special guest. We chose to host this event to inspire everyone to feel seen, included, and confident to be themselves at the beach.
'This season our Global Ambassador and Face of the Brand is Joanna Halpin, a trail-blazing model and photographer.
'We are passionate about supporting and uplifting women, and to broadening our representation of women living the Australian beach lifestyle.'
The statement concludes, 'We stand proud that our brand is inclusive and supportive of all women, including the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond.'
Halpin stuns in a series of sizzling photos for Seafolly's new summer campaign
'Brands now work with people who are not necessarily a model, more a personality,' the stunning model told Stellar magazine
The British-born beauty shows off her sun-kissed physique in a patterned Seafolly bikini
Last week, Todorovič gushed about making 'history' in a lengthy Instagram post over the weekend.
'This marks the first time iconic Aussie swim giants @seafollyaustralia have worked with a trans ambassador/brand partner,' they said.
They have since edited their caption to read: 'Today we made history. This marks the first time iconic Aussie swim giants @seafollyaustralia have worked with a Trans person.'
Seafolly's move to work with Todorovič sparked calls for a boycott of the brand, which is known for its glamorous advertisements featuring some of the world's most famous female models including Miranda Kerr, Gigi Hadid, and Shanina Shaik.
Since the launch of the advertising campaign - which features a bearded Todorovič posing in lime green Seafolly bikini bottoms and a matching cover-up - the activist has been relentlessly trolled.
Speaking exclusively with Daily Mail Australia this week, the non-binary model claims they warned Seafolly that the company would be bombarded with threats and abuse.
'I told Seafolly "I will have people say it's iconic. But I will also have people tell me to kill myself, to burn in hell, that I'm a groomer, and that my mum should be ashamed,"' Todorovič said.
'I absolutely expected that, when I sat down with Seafolly, I prepped them for this,' the socialite continued.
