This first picture depicts some of the issues we went over in class. Many advertisements use thin, beautiful women for their advertisements to gain the attention of men and envious reactions from women. In this photo, L.E.I is selling their jean shorts. The model is dressed like a young girl with a lollypop, giving her the look of “sexual innocence” which we covered in class just does not make sense. There’s no way someone can be sexually virginal. But this is used especially for male audiences who find this young, vulnerable look in women arousing.
The second photo really needs no description. It is extremely explicit. The shoe advertisement, clearly to attract male audiences, shows a naked woman, showing nearly everything she’s got. The only thing in the way of the most provocative spot is, of course, the product being sold. The model is thin and toned, yet again telling female audiences that this is the only way you can be in order to be found attractive. Companies would not dare use anyone heavier, or with smaller breasts.
In this last photo is, what I think, is a real woman. I’ve seen the Playtex commercials that they show lately, and I really like them. They show real women looking for supportive bras. But they show none of those bone thin girls, and they don’t depict vulnerability, innocence, sexuality. They are just real, strong, confident women who have found something that works for them, and it makes them feel beautiful for who they are.
Your assessments of these advertisements really resonated with me. Without the lollipop in the first ad, the childishness would not have been nearly so apparent. The lollipop, while emphasizing youthfulness, also intensifies the sexual imagery. Honestly, the jean shorts in this ad are not what stands out. At all. First I saw the lollipop and the model's chest, then I saw her hair, and finally I noticed her shorts.
ReplyDeleteIn the second ad, at least this product is made the focus because it is the only thing colored and is very clearly in the forefront. However, in this case, making the product the focus only intensifies the sexualization and objectification of the model. It says that the man who wears this shoe can hope to be that close to a naked woman, but the fact taht it's a shoe also says that a woman's sexuality can just be stepped on because it's not important.
I really like the last ad, because, though the woman has large breasts, she also has the body to go with it, which shows that they're most likely natural. Also, as you say, you can tell that the portrayal is just of a woman who "feel[s] beautiful for who they are."
I think the body language of the first image is referring to nothing but sex. If you look where Lee is wrote, it is also kinda suggestive in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteThe second ad is ridiculous in my opinion. Why a woman would be holding a man's shoe is stupid. Then again, she is holding it where a man would look first. It also helps that she is naked, so men are more attracted to this ad.
The last ad is really good in my opinion because the woman isn't covering herself up or acting self-confident about her body being a little bit larger than other models. Instead, she is acting like she is embracing it.
I have seen a repetitive theme of naked women advertising men's products (cologne and now shoes). Do advertisements really need to stoop to that level to sell their products.
ReplyDeleteI really like your third advertisement as well. This shows a real woman. True beauty is this ad. I wish more advertisements would be just like this one. This shows a positive influence for all women.
ReplyDelete@ Emily Blackwood
ReplyDeleteI agree about the first ad suggesting sex and sex with that innocent looking girl. I did notice where the LEE logo was located and totally agree. It's almost as if it gives ignorant men the right to look at true innocent girls through unpure eyes and horrible desires.
I absolutely LOVE the third ad! I love to see these ads whenever I do have the chance because I can truly relate to these women. These ads also show diversity in race. I mean they show women of all races in their true beauty...being who they are for real and UNASHAMED!!! :)
Your third ad is my favorite. The Platex ads have always been great to me. They always show real women that look like they feel confident in their own skin and thats always refreshing. More ads need to be more like that... I feel like it would really help the younger girls out there to see more happy and realistic looking women on commercials and magazine ads.
ReplyDeleteThanks, girls, for your comments! And yes, @demilamb, being a full-figured girl myself, I've always loved the platex commercials. I ads like the first two really upset me. It's hard enough being a big girl in general; I don't need the media telling me I'm imperfect and incapable of love and relationships unless I lose a few pounds. It's hard. The platex commercials give me hope in human kind, I guess you could put it. :)
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