‘It was in the sales’. ‘I needed a treat’. ‘It was too good to turn down’ ‘It’s my patriotic duty’. Have you ever used one of these phrases to justify a ridiculous purchase? That lime-green jumpsuit that looked so good on the rail. The half-price coat that was two sizes too small. Buy one get fourteen guavas free. The new TV that your even your grandkids will be repaying. In bad economic times you’d expect us to shop less and not more. Yet …Read More
Imagine if we actually took the world and its messages seriously. If we believed the advertising and the hype. If we listened to the agenda-setters and the taste-makers and the spin-doctors. If we allowed our brains to swell with the mixed media , mixed messages and mixed metaphors. We’d be (stylish), but pretty confused. As would those around us… Here’s a great example. The Spanish artist, Yolanda Dominguez, has staged a kind of living installation, in which ordinary women take …Read More
Advertising. Why do they bother? It’s just so obvious, isn’t it? Like furry animals are gonna sell home insurance. Ok, so maybe that one worked. But not the rest – surely? When we watch some ads, it seems ridiculous that anyone will be persuaded. Cheese crisps for example, seem to be the key to a riotous social life. Modern beards require at least 17 kinds of blade. Washing machines work – and they don’t eat your socks. Babies sleep …Read More
It’s fascinating to consider our cultural hotspots. By these, I mean the points at which So What? becomes Shocking, Disgusting and deserving of A Public Outcry. Example: I didn’t know how outraged I was about phone hacking until the media told me how outraged I ought to feel. Now that the News of the World has taken the flak, I can return to comfortable ambivalence. After all, that’s all been taken care of, right? Or this. This week, there’s been …Read More
I’ve often wondered how it must feel to be spontaneous. I’ve read about such creatures – even seen a few in action. But I can’t pretend to understand them. If you’re not sure what I mean, then either; a.) You’re one of them. In which case, congratulations and er – excuse me while I slowly back away. Or, b.) allow me to introduce you… So. Spontaneous People. If they’re not tweeting you from a mountain, they’re advertising tampax instead. …Read More
Aaaah, planet fashion. Just feasting my eyes on the latest campaign for luxury brand Louis Vuitton. The advertisement features the ridiculously beautiful Angelina Jolie, reclining by a swamp in Cambodia. As is the norm in the tropics, her make-up is perfect, hair frizz-free, designer clothing unwrinkled and there’s not a sweat patch or mozzie in sight. That’ll be because she’s got some insect repellent in her backpack, right? Mais non, my friends. She’s come jungle-equipped with her Vuitton handbag. Yes, …Read More
According to figures released this year by B-eat (the UK Eating Disorder charity), images produced by the media have a large role to play in eating disorders. Well, no kidding, Sherlock. But wait a sec. The images they’re talking about aren’t in the perfume ads. They’re not promoting fashion or celebrity or breakfast bars. They’re the pictures used to highlight the effects of eating disorders. The ones accompanying the articles that are supposedly designed to stop people going down the …Read More
What on earth is a ‘lifestyle’? And where do I get one? From tea-bags to wall-paper, if the advertising’s true, then none of our choices are neutral. Whether it’s a nubile twenty-something parachuting to the strain of ‘Woooah Bodyfoorm’ or a hunky exec practically vomiting with excitement over his 714-blade razor, even the wrong choice of toothpaste can brand us ‘Losers’ in the lifestyle stakes. It’s essentially a grown-up version of the playground cliques. And as someone who’s naturally four …Read More
It’s easy to think that when it comes to body image and insecurity, we women have a monopoly. Yet as the rise of eating disorders and depression in men indicates, this is far from true. When it comes to self-esteem and gender expectations, Batman may be just as damaging as Barbie. There’s a reason why Mr Right is described as tall, dark and handsome. For guys, size matters – and it’s more than just a cliché. As Nancy Etcoff observes …Read More
