Seeking self-identity in fashion advertising Fifty years ago, anyone would say Marylin Monroe was the most desirable woman of all time. Nowadays Gisele Bundchen is definitely the hottest chick in town. What has brought such dramatic change in the concept of female desired beauty and identity is undeniably media, or to be more specific, printed fashion advertisement. Glossy magazines with photoshopped images of models on the front covers drive girls crazy to reach a so-called beauty. Fashion advertising has the absolute power to define desired gender roles, female identity, and characteristics of upcoming generations of young girls.
In the article, “Controlling your reality” Paige Pfleger states “Reality television can also preserve old fashioned notions about sexual stereotyping. Women are encouraged to fulfill roles as “the slut” and are simultaneously devalued by doing so” sadly these are the types of stereotypes young girls and women grow up with (3). Little girls are told to act a certain way only for society to reject and humiliate them for it. In The Hunger Games Collins makes a point by sexually objectifying Glimmer, a career tribute, because she looks like the stereotype of sexy. In the novel Collins writes, “The girl tribute from District 1, looking provocative in a see-through gold gown…With that flowing blonde hair, emerald green eyes, her body tall and lush… she’s sexy all the way”(125).Collins makes it clear that society has a very specific image of what sexy should look like.
The media conform teens to believe in a false lifestyle. The media tries to conform the way we, as teens, live by showing us unrealistic lifestyles. They specifically target teen girls. Magazines and advertisements project to girls that all girls should wear a certain size or have a specific shape or figure. All the time the media makes girls think that in order to feel beautiful, popular, or desirable they have to look like these women seen on TV or in magazines.
All of the monologues shared a common theme of addressing women's issues and celebrating them in all its glory. Eve Ensler created the show based on a series of interviews she had with several types of women. The show's objective is to get rid of the embarrassment that is associated with the vagina as well as to make women feel comfortable talking about issues including rape, sexuality, childbirth, body image and many more. My favorite monologues were Hair, The "Wear and Say" Lists, My Angry Vagina and The Vagina Workshop. Particularly, Hair and My Angry Vagina discussed how society thinks the vagina should be hairless and smell like flowers and should not be left in its natural state.
The company target young women and girls who are future potential customers. The PINK brand message is: ‘We are here. We know what your life is and we know it is different from men’s life. We know that it is full of interesting events and our apparel fits to them’. PINK brand promises to share women’s values, attitudes and needs.
Mulvey categorizes Sherman’s usage of femininity in her artwork as an appearance in which the insistent sexualization of woman is integrated into a style of respectability. One of Sherman’s works that Mulvey writes about, that I found very interesting and displayed this style of femininity and emotion was her series Untitled Film Stills. It was in this series that Mulvey states how Sherman developed her photographs in black and white to portray the 1950’s neo-realism ideas. What was interesting about this series by Sherman, was that she used herself as the model for all of her photographs, while also coming up with the wardrobe, setting, and props for her photograph. This is something that is both fascinating and impressive, about Sherman’s work that Mulvey really focuses on.
One of the verses says “she got me thinkin’ I can date a cop ‘cause her uniform pants are so tight.” To Lil’ Wayne, he only has an interest in women if they’re wearing something tight and attractive. To him, looks are even more important that who a girl really is. In the essay, “Why Are We Dressing Our Daughters Like This?”, written by Lianne George, the author talks about how young girls are putting much focus on material things that will somehow alter or enhance their appearance. This is seen when she writes, "Girls as young as 6 are adopting the external cues of womanhood, adorning themselves not only with lip gloss and nail polish, but also body sprays, skin glitters, and spa lotions." George discusses how women believe that appearance is the only thing they need to focus in life – that beauty is success and is the only way women can achieve
Book Review: Girls of Riyadh Who would have thought Saudi Arabia would have its own version of Sex in the City? Girls of Riyadh, written by Rajaa Alsanea, takes us through the love lives of four privileged women from Riyadh through a chain of emails written by the story’s witty and freethinking narrator. Rajaa is excellent at forcing her readers to put aside the standard image of conservative Saudi Arabian women and see their love lives in a more modern approach. Gamrah, Mashael, Lamees, and Sadeem each have very different attitudes on life however each of them are dealing with an issue that is rather common amongst other women in their country: the constant pull between native customs and a progressing world. Not only is this pull common with women, so is the desire to be loved by someone else.
A challenge is an obstacle that prevents an individual from reaching their goal. If overcome, it can lead to success and personal growth. Women in the 1940s and 50s had many challenges such as society’s expectations, persecution and the need for self belief. Mona Lisa Smile, directed by Mike Newell, tells the story of young Californian teacher Katherine Watson who transfer to Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Katherine battles to teach a groups of girls and encourage them to be independent and think for themselves.
Why can’t they find a way to subtly lubricate the tampon? As soon as my vagina sees it, it goes into shock” (Pg. 70). This quote is a great example of how she thinks tampons should be fixed, and she gives examples of how companies could fix tampons to make them more comfortable. Another example of how the women in this story persuades her thoughts is when she persuades her readers that exams for vaginas need to be more comfortable.