fashion ads scans
fashion ads scans
Fashion magazines - Friend or Foe?
I love clothes. For me, clothing is a form of expression like painting on a canvas is a form of expression of an artist. Thus, over the years I have met through the pages of fashion magazines for ideas. Sometimes I buy the magazines at the store, sometimes I subscribe to them for a year or more. Often times, when I flip through the pages, I get the inspiration for combining colors, textures and styles in a way I had not thought in the past.
I have known for years that fashion magazines are full of unrealistic computer-enhanced images. I know that many models have eating disorders and drug problems and I know that many young women aspire to look like models and thus become victims of eating disorders, compulsive diets, body dissatisfaction, drug use, smoking and more. I know because I was one of those girls.
But I thought that since "know better" now, since I'm smart enough to see beneath the surface, there's no harm in studying the journal of ideas of fashion. This only last week, after mailperson released a copy of 500 pages of one of my favorite fashion magazines started hitting everything. I sat at the dining table cereals and turning the pages one by one.
I oogle a purse of $ 500 and a pair of $ 200. I saw the pictures of clocks $ 1,000 dollars. Page after page, infused with elements that would break my bank if I were to buy them. I realized that I was literally paying out of my pocket money on advertising for. I was paying for a page 500 of the manual that could well have been titled: 500 pages of things that never will be, do or have.
I realized I was paying to look at and read the lies. Although "knows best" on a conscious level, there is still a small part of me that he wanted "the bag" "shoes" and "to do", although all were very expensive and is sure to wreak havoc on my financial future and my self-esteem.
On this special day, looking at the fashion magazine was not pleasant, it's infuriating. I guess that anger has been working is the way over recent months. There was time when I saw the photo of Madonna in an advertisement for Versace and I thought: it has a wrinkle or smile line or crow's feet. There is a sign of being a mother of two children, aged 40 years and a woman with very demanding career that spanned several decades. I thought to myself, "that's impossible." It was not jealous or envious thought, I mean is very literal. It is impossible. Improving Computer and heavy makeup is the only logical explanation for the perfect face I saw.
I decided to put my emotions and trials under control and be objective about what I saw. I made an unofficial research project and reviewed the pages of this magazine of 500 pages to get an accurate account of what had been absorbing unconsciously month after month, year after year. This is what I learned: of the 500 pages, 300 were full-page ads. 172 pages the ads were intended to be a fashion council, the council of the party and editorial content. Let's face it, when the council of fashion includes name, phone number and website of the store and the price of the item, it really is an advertisement. About 30 pages of the magazine were not technically ads but were things like: "This star like this" or "Eastern star has." Three pages were public service announcements (I this is a requirement). So there you have it, my 500 pages contains 472 advertisements and about 30 pages of "content". And I'm the fool you sent the check to cover the annual subscription fee.
Now, after informal research project was starting to get a little tarnished. Then my friend Cindy email me a link to the website of Dove (campaignforrealbeauty.com) I go there and see a 30-second video that shows a rapid version of everything that happens in its typical form shoot. The 30-second clip of video summarizes the hours of time spent on hair, makeup, lighting, professional photography techniques and improving computer that takes place before a notice is published or broadcast. When I say that magazine ads are unrealistic and unattainable, I'm serious. For even the model looks like the model!
So I made a decision. I am boycotting all fashion magazines. Never buy a new one. I will not spend my money on lies and images that lead to self-hating, deadly conduct and oppression of women. I know money is power and I refuse to spend my money on lies spread to destroy the lives of many women.
I know that my few dollars will not be a great loss to the mega-rich publishing industry, but I think it is important for all women to realize that a very real way that we have to buy the hype. I mean that in two ways. No to buy the magazines with our money and not have to buy the lies that lie within its pages. We may also decide to support designers and manufacturers that promote a positive image for women. We can choose to withhold our dollars from companies that exploit women if the model or sweat shop worker who sews clothes.
If a complete boycott of fashion magazines is not for you, you always have the power to write the advertisers when you see the images that are harmful or ridiculous. These letters do a difference.
Now, as far as inspiration for fashion, I decided that if my clothes are really a form of expression then I decide for myself what textures, colors and styles to combine. I'm a grown woman living in a free country. I do not need a magazine to tell me how to dress.
About the Author
Sheri O. Zampelli, M.S., CCH has developed a weight-loss and body image program called Donate Your Weight. Her program takes all the things that have been creating weight and eating problems in society and turns them upside down. Donate Your Weight is the stress-free program to stop dieting, get slim and help others while doing it. For details, visit www.donateyourweight.com
HQ Emma Watson Burberry Campaign Behind the Scenes 2010
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