It’s been a big week for vaginas.
It all started when online clothing store Beginning Boutique posted a photo to Instagram of their ‘Haymen Bikini’.
Amidst the number of swimmers they sell and images they post, these bikini bottoms garnered more attention than any other for their… questionable coverage of the female genitalia.
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POOL SESH ???? @olivia.mathers looks UNREAL in the @9.0swim Cabana Bikini Bottoms Matte Nude $49.95!
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Thousands of comments later, Mamamia’s post went viral and women went rogue with their remarks on the ‘Haymen Bikini’.
“I had a less intrusive smear test today,” said one user.
“Hmm, nice clit hammock. Sell anything for women with vaginas?”
“Ok so anyone know where I can buy a new vagina??? After seeing this I think mine might be broken.”
This is what happened when Clare Stephens tried Beginning Boutique’s bikini bottoms in real life:
But Beginning Boutique has turned the controversy into a positive, redirecting the attention they’ve received this week to vaginal health and the importance of women over 25 getting checked for cervical cancer.
“Thank you for bringing vaginas to everyone’s attention this week,” the brand posted to their Instagram Stories.
“Tonight we wanted to respond to the crazy week that has been. We believe that body shaming is never appropriate and want to turn the focus into something positive.
“Your vagina is SUPER important, so if you’re over 25 and haven’t had a cervical cancer check, do us a favour and book yourself in.”
According to the Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation, almost 50 per cent of Australian women aren’t being screened as regularly as they should be for cervical cancer. Hence raising awareness for the necessity for women to get checked is a great initiative.
On top of this, the clothing brand further shared that they would be donating ten percent of their profits from the bikinis that went viral to Pink Ribbon, who are committed to raising awareness about breast and gynaecological cancers and doing crucial research.
"Together, we can show that all vaginas are equal and deserve to be healthy and taken care of," said Beginning Boutique on their Instagram.
Touché, Beginning Boutique. Touché.