Swedish model receives rape threats after posting image of hairy legs on Instagram

Arvida Byström is well known for posing with her body hair on show

Arvida Byström's photo from the Adidas Originals superstar campaign (Instagram/Adidas )

A Swedish model has claimed she has received rape threats after she posed in an advert with unshaved legs.

Arvida Byström said she was abused after she appeared in a photograph promoting a pair of trainers, which she subsequently posted on her Instagram page.

The 26-year-old is well known for posing with her body hair on show and has also posted pictures online displaying her cellulite.

But after the image appeared, Byström said she had been abused.

“Me being such an abled, white, cis body with its only nonconforming feature being a lil leg hair," she said. "Literally I’ve been getting rape threats in my DM inbox."

“I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to not possess all these privileges and try to exist in the world.

"Sending love and try to remember that not everybody has the same experiences being a person.”

Her image modelling the Adidas trainers has received a mixed with response, with some responding with abuse online and others lending their support.

One user in particular said: “It is something absurd to say in 2017 but she is so brave to show natural legs, you go girl!”

Adidas called her as “an artist, photographer, model and cyber sensation, known for her photography, which questions femininity and gender standards using so-called ‘girly’ aesthetics”.