Swedish model received rape threats after posing in advertisement with unshaved legs

We are fully supportive of people doing whatever they want with their body hair, whether that includes shaving, waxing, or letting it grow out to any length you’d like. Which is why we’re totally disheartened to see this Swedish model get criticized for her unshaven legs in a new Adidas campaign. Because hair is natural, people.

Arvida Byström is a 26-year-old model, photographer, and artist from Sweden who was recently featured in Adidas’ new badass (and totally feminist) Superstar campaign. In one of the gorgeous Millennial pink-inspired shots, Byström can be seen kneeling down to show off a pair of classic Adidas three-stripe shoes. Her legs happened to be unshaved, and it has seemingly stirred up minor chaos.

In the days after the iconic sportswear brand launched the campaign, the model herself responded, revealing that she has received so much backlash — and even rape threats — in her private inbox.

And let’s all take a step back and remember that this outrage is all over a little body hair, which is absolutely maddening on so many levels.

Aside from the fact that the ad is drop-dead gorgeous, we are cheering for the body positive message that both Adidas and Byström are sending through her photograph. It’s helping to chip away at the narrow standards of beauty that have been perpetuated for far too long.

A friendly reminder that we should always be kind to each other — behind a keyboard or not.