Questions to Consider: * What defines beauty in America? * Does exposing your body make you more or less beautiful? * What do you notice that different cultures value in terms of beauty? What We Think: The media loves to pick on Jessica Simpson, but there’s much more to the singer than her sometimes-goofy… Continue Reading →
Gallery of Winners: Glamour goes above and beyond.
Questions to Consider: * How do women’s magazines typically make you feel? * In what ways does the article from Glamour differ from images in other magazines? * What kind of products do women’s magazines try to sell you? * What do you notice about the different messages of magazine articles and magazine advertising? What… Continue Reading →
Proenza Schouler and “Top Model” get waist-ed
Flat abs, lean legs, perky breasts: these fashion industry staples have been mandated so long, you can pretty much expect to find them on any straight-size model. But what’s the newest must-have on the runways? A teeny-tiny, impossibly thin waist. Obviously, this trend isn’t a new one (ever heard of a corset?), but recent media… Continue Reading →
Girl Scouts aim to change the face of fashion
They’ve been around for nearly a century, count 3.3 million members worldwide, and are considered a preeminent leadership development organization. In case the only thing you know about the Girl Scouts is their unwavering dedication to supplying America with Thin Mints, it’s time to learn more. With the help of four Wilhelmina Curve models (the… Continue Reading →
Why I have decided that high heels are evil
Check out this great article by Lisa Hix on the Collectors Weekly web site, Our Bodies, Our Stilettos. Did you know that “initially, high-heeled shoes helped keep women, who were seen as irrational and frivolous, powerless”? Thank you for this wonderful historical context. Personally, I can’t deal with high heels, let alone stilettos, because 1…. Continue Reading →
Kai Hibbard says “The Biggest Loser” gave her “a really fun eating disorder”
They laugh, they cry, they shed half their body weight! Okay, admittedly I have never seen a full episode of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” but apparently, I’m in the minority. Since 2004, viewers in more than 90 countries have watched overweight contestants swap unhealthy habits for wholesome lifestyles, often emerging as toned and taut finalists… Continue Reading →