So today someone asked me my opinion on
the Victoria's Secret fashion show that happened last night. Now fashion shows
aren't really my thing, so I didn't watch it. I don't have a huge thing against
them, I just don't care. Still, I figured it'd be fun to try to make a post
about it.
The biggest problem with these shows would be the argument that they seem to objectify women. So I'll just kind of focus on that
(rather then talk about male pageants or what you'd see on shows like Toddlers in Tiaras).
Many people would argue that fashion shows
like this are just used to… flaunt women, if you will. Having that one
incredibly specific body type walk around in "too-few" clothes for
the enjoyment of others. But to say that would also imply that it is all done
for the enjoyment of men. Which would be the objectifying element of these
shows.
The thing is though, these shows aren't
just done for men, and the purpose of fashion shows aren't purely misogynistic.
While it could be (and probably is) completely true that some men watch these for some alternative
reasons, that isn't the show's actual purpose. And judging just by the amount of
female people I have heard talking about the show in excitement the day before
it aired, I don't think that creepy men are the main demographic. Rather, most
people who are genuinely interested in watching watch it because they have an
actual interest in the clothes. After all, it is a fashion show.
And in any case, the models that are there
all consented to it and want to be there. No one forced them into the outfits.
And modeling isn't really an easy business, so with a show that size they must
have worked extremely hard to make it there. To degrade someone would mean that
you are lowering their strength, quality, dignity, or intensity. But models
have to be fierce. For them, being on
stage is empowering. So even though there certainly are people out there who
only see them as pretty objects there solely for the viewers pleasure, the
models see themselves as much more.
Still, some people aren't comfortable with
the whole notion of fashion shows. And that's fine. To them, I really just
recommend not watching. But if people are genuinely happy modeling, or people
really enjoy seeing all the outfits, then more power to them. This is where you
really have to respect everyone's opinions: if you like it, watch it; if not,
don't. It should honestly be that simple.
You spoke the thoughts in my brain, I'll post what I was writing earlier anyways:
ReplyDeleteI've been watching the VS Fashion Show since I knew it was a thing, prolly like 7th grade. I have mixed emotions about said show. One the one hand my slightly feminist side of me feels like scantily clad ladies is inherently objectifying, kinda dirty and just wrong. Based on the fact the young girls, who are still developing and being influenced, watch this is scary for the future generations. Fact: Girls on average get 180 min. of media exposer every day while only interacting with their parents about 10-20 mins. Which I can very well see to be true because I know I don’t eat dinner with my parents and see my school teachers more than my parents. So its messed up also we should get less homework also less test, stress kills!!! woah…..well that escalated quickly. Anyway back to what I was saying that shit cray basically. And on a serious note it does make me want toshake the parents of the world and be like "Hey! Don't let your 9 year old watch that!" And that's a huge generalization, but you get my point. Some parents are actually awesome n' stuff. Now on to the other side le brain. The women seem to be generally very happy and advancing in their career so who am I to judge there occupation, and lets not forget they are willingly doing this, and they are getting pay out the wazoo. So what's the really problem? It's you (and half of me). (I kinda just had an epiphany as I write this so bare with me, but I'm in Math class so I must be discreet). As my good friend Jessie J once said, "Don't lose who you are in the blur in the stars, seeing is deceiving dreaming is believing. Its ok not to be 'Okay.'" So in conclusion don’t worry about the model cause they sure as sugar ain't worrying about you.
Cool insight about the youth being influenced. That could really be its own topic to discuss, even. I think it'd be awesome if fashion shows like that showed a bigger variety of women modeling, because not everyone is gonna be 6 feet tall and weight 120 pounds.
DeleteStill, you can't put blame on people who do look like that. So I just wish more people, like parents and in school, would try to build up the self esteem of kids. And make the media more inclusive. So...improve rather than remove things like magazines and shows. But we'll see where the modern world takes us.
And we do have to remember that the image of beauty fluctuates (although it seems like the US, and the US alone) over time. That may be a big factor in whether or not these girls even ave jobs in 10 years. Meh. I think we give the media the stimulating world around us too much credit and room for self improvement, I doubt thing will change be we shall see.
ReplyDelete