Week #2

This week's reading had me really thinking about expectations of women. It particularly is interesting to me because I work in fashion.

As my company goes through the never ending process of creating a new line, we scrutinize women. Looking through photography is today I noticed how the women are forced to pose. Often the models are told to twist and move ways that make their bodies appear thin and small. Oppositely a man would be told to stand proud and broad. Even more so the photos are manipulated to make the models appear as perfect as possible. Stretching the photographs make the women appear as thin as possible and sophisticated.

What's even worse is when we have go-sees for models. A go-see is an open call for agencies to send girls who they think will meet our needs. We literally sit there for hours judging women on every single portion of their bodies. Are her hips too big? Bust too small? Is that a pimple or a scar? What is that weird shadow between her nose and lip? Everything sounds so insignificant but really it comes down to one question: How little work am I'm going to have to do to her photographs?

I love to hear the difference between my company (who's market is women) and design houses who cater to men. The men can take on many personas and body types as long as they have confidence. Rugged is often a sought after look by men's designers. However, a woman's design house would never ask for a rugged female model.

It almost makes me wonder if in women's photography in fashion is meant to illicit a thought of women being perfect without solid preparation? Should a woman's non verbal actions in fashion photography show someone who is meek and pliable so that a viewer can insert their ideas and images into that fashion?

Week #1

There is a definite distinction between genders when communicating. The place I encounter this most is in the workplace. The males tend to get to the heart of issues at the start, while the women tend to skirt around topics so that feelings aren't hurt. This semester will definitely be beneficial.

Communication and Gender

Summer I