Naked protestors promote body positivity on Gardner Street

The models stood blindfolded on Gardner Street in Brighton, with a sign encouraging the public to cut pieces of their clothing if they supported their message.

With each piece cut, more of their body was revealed – eventually exposing their entire naked bodies.

The male model, who wished to be identified only as Neil, said he and fellow model Abigail were met with an overwhelming amount of support in their quest for nudity acceptance and body positivity.

Along with a pair of scissors, the duo held pieces of paper which the public could take if they wanted the models to leave.

However, Neil said of the thousands to have walked past the pair in the hour and a half stunt, only two took a piece of paper compared to 40 who cut their clothes to reveal their bodies.

Members of the public were invited to cut off pieces of clothing

“Abigail is a mother and there is so much negativity and pressure on women, men and gender fluid people to live up to certain body images,” he said.

“We had people coming up and talking to us – a lot engaging with Abigail and identifying with her.

"For her, a big element is saying 'this is my body and I’m happy with it'.

“These are real bodies – it’s not airbrushed, it’s not a glamour model body. It’s just a body and it’s beautiful.”

Neil, originally from the Peak District, said he and his fellow model were in no way breaking the law, but chose Brighton for the stunt due to it’s liberal views.

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“Nudity isn’t illegal, but in a day and age where we’re trying to be tolerant of so many things, we’re lagging behind the times with nudity,” he said.

“We pick more liberal places when we’re doing something that sits slightly at the boundary at what is usual and Brighton has been at the forefront of the free the nipple movement,” he said. “It’s safer for us physically and mentally.

“We did a lot of our early work abroad in Germany and Spain where there is more tolerance around nudity.”

More information about the cause can be found through the sex and body positivity liberalist movement Project PC.

Sussex Police have been approached for a comment.