Naletela sem na tale članek Paule Begoun. Opazila sem, da vas veliko kupuje revije, pa vam bo zato verjetno zanimiv za prebrat.
Spin-ster Sisters
Politics aside, Myrna Blyth s book Spin Sisters: How the Women of the Media Sell Unhappiness and Liberalism to the Women of America is an interesting read for those who flip through fashion magazines every month. Blyth ruled the roost as editor-in-chief of Ladies Home Journal from 1981 to 2002 and was former publishing director of More. Her insider s perspective in this scathing book is as scintillating as it is fascinating. One of her premises is that fashion magazines have turned feminism into a form of erotic, soft-core pornography accompanied by all the body-pampering requirements to achieve that level of sensuality. I agree.
One of the main differences between men s "fashion" or lifestyle magazines and women s magazines is that women s fashion magazines have vastly more pictures of scantily clad women in erotic poses. In men s magazines, the male models are almost always completely dressed. There are also few, if any, stories about men being concerned about being too fat, changing their hairstyle, finding the latest antiwrinkle product, choosing among plastic surgery procedures, figuring out how to cover dark circles, and on and on. Most important, men s magazines never show men wearing expensive painful clothing (Manolo Blahniks may be sexy, but six blocks later and we re all aching for our flats). So much for equality between the sexes!
My attraction to part of Blyth s viewpoint is that it echoes mine, yet she lived it from the inside. I have spent many years challenging the lack of objective information in fashion magazines and the deliberate manipulation of facts to ensure that every story supports the predetermined goal of not offending advertisers. The idea that you can fix your life via makeup, clothes, accessories, jewelry, pedicures, manicures, weight loss, cosmetic surgery, or a host of skin-care products is the bread and butter of fashion magazines. The so-called editorial content wedged in between the fashion layouts and advertisements is a mix of blatant reverence toward and service to the advertisers that pay the magazine s bills. Some women see fashion magazines for their limitations and biased influences; regrettably, many others believe every word they read, and never (or rarely) question the fickle nature of the reporting. Blyth s hard look at her own industry may help you view fashion magazines a bit more clearly the next time you flip through them.
