Today, more than ever, sex is rampant in marketing, bolstered by the notion that “Sex Sells”, but a new study reveals that this may not in fact be the case. Since the beginning of modern advertising, sexual themes and imagery have been used to sell products. Some of the earliest sexual ads were created by tobacco companies in the late 1800s…. Continue Reading →
Advertising and porn: Why can’t we tell the difference?
What is porn, anyway? Is this porn? Is this? How about this? How do you know? It’s been said that porn is hard to define, but “you know it when you see it.” So what do we see when we see porn? Documentary filmmaker Rashida Jones… Continue Reading →
Mature models show the beauty of aging
Word of the day: “Gerascophobia.” It is commonly defined as the abnormal and persistent fear of growing old or aging. Also known as modern American culture. It’s no secret that the media idolizes youth. As women age, Botox, plastic surgery, and a generous dose of Photoshop are purported as the recipe for immortality. If you’re… Continue Reading →
Did the Media Fail Women in 2013? Ask The Representation Project
The newest viral video making its way around my Facebook feed is, “How the Media Failed Women in 2013,” a sobering three-and-a-half-minute compilation of media moments that drive one point home: the representation of women in the media isn’t changing fast enough. [media url=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NswJ4kO9uHc”] “How the Media Failed Women in 2013” recaps the highlights and… Continue Reading →
Contest: design an empowering billboard for NYC!
You know those terrible American Apparel billboards? Or those totally skeezy, greasy Calvin Klein ones? Or any of the ones that basically make women out to be sex toys? Do you hate those? Take action! SPARK Summit, in conjunction with Women’s Therapy Center Institute and Endangered Bodies, are sponsoring a billboard design contest seeking positive,… Continue Reading →
Check out our brand new Gallery of Offenders and Gallery of Winners!
The moment you’ve been waiting for has arrived: It’s time to announce the 2010 About-Face Gallery of Offenders and Gallery of Winners! From pre-pubescent pageant queens to disembodied derrieres, the offenders were in rare (often Photoshopped) form this year. We had a tough time narrowing down the ads, shows, videos, movies and more to a… Continue Reading →
Does Urban Outfitters Want Women to be Skinnier?
Urban Outfitters’ latest gasp-inducing product is a form-fitting v-neck tee that screams “Eat Less” across the front. It’s another example of clothing corporations trying to be hip and edgy without realizing the influence their clothing has on impressionable young girls, especially when it comes to body image. [Note: As of 10:55pm PDT, the shirt photo… Continue Reading →
An Afternoon with Dov Charney: recap and updates!
Hey, About-Facers! Remember that action we were planning against American Apparel’s sexist advertising campaigns? Well we did it, and it was awesome. We assembled and performed our street theater on loop outside of the Haight St. American Apparel location for about an hour on Saturday. The police eventually came to ask us to leave (it’s… Continue Reading →
“How the hell would that fit me?” and other body thoughts from a retail stylist
Contrary to the belief of the fashion industry, the average American woman is not 5’11” with measurements that befit starving children. However, the mannequins used to display the clothes they are attempting to sell still have those proportions. I look up at them every day, styled so carefully and tastefully, extra-small shorts trying to grasp… Continue Reading →