The recent collaboration between Bluebella and Team GB Olympic rugby stars Ellie Boatman, Celia Quansah, and Jasmine Joyce in the latest #StrongIsBeautiful campaign is a commendable celebration of women’s strength and beauty. This compelling combination truly embodies raw feminine power and confidence.
Initiated over eight years ago, the #StrongIsBeautiful campaign by Bluebella has a primary focus on boosting the confidence of teenage girls and encouraging their participation in sports while promoting self-love and body positivity. Studies by Women in Sports have revealed that 61% of teenage girls feel judged when engaging in sports, with low body image and fear of failure acting as significant barriers.
According to Emily Bendell, the CEO and Founder of Bluebella, the misconception that strength and femininity are incompatible has detrimental effects on women’s participation in sports. The campaign has previously collaborated with esteemed athletes such as Fara Williams MBE, Reanna Blades, Kate Shortman, Izzy Thorpe, and Stef Reid. Now, the spotlight is on rising Olympians Ellie Boatman, Celia Quansah, and Jasmine Joyce, who epitomize the campaign’s message in its purest form.
The campaign’s message strongly resonated with the athletes, particularly Ellie Boatman, who struggled with a lack of support as a young athlete and faced challenges related to disordered eating and poor body image during university. She emphasized the importance of viewing fitness as a means of self-care rather than punishment, reflecting the campaign’s central goal of empowering girls through sport and fitness, while showcasing that muscular strength and femininity go hand in hand.
As the athletes shed their rugby kits for the shoot, they found themselves reflecting on the campaign’s impact, even on their own perceptions. Jasmine expressed feeling more empowered and comfortable in her body after the shoot, and Celia conveyed the significance of proving that femininity and rugby can coexist, thereby breaking down stereotypes.
The campaign sends a powerful message to girls that embracing their bodies and feeling empowered go beyond societal expectations. It aims to highlight the fact that being feminine and strong are not mutually exclusive, and that confidence and strength go hand in hand.
In further support of body confidence, resources on loving oneself, the impact of injectables on self-confidence, and the importance of self-love for survivors of domestic abuse are readily available.
These initiatives strive to provide practical and expert advice, home workouts, easy nutrition, and more to women, ensuring they feel their best and confident in their skin while staying stylish.
Authored by Isabelle Knevett, Fashion Features Editor at Women’s Health, brings a unique perspective that explores the intersection of fashion and fitness, empowering women to look and feel their best during workouts. With a background in dance and experience writing for esteemed publications, she understands the significance of dependable activewear and delivers her expertise to readers seeking guidance on fashion and fitness.