Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Blatant Sexism in the Fashion Industry ?


I was reading the news the other day and came across something quite disturbing. I found this review about Fashion week in Washington DC. Now this is from a reputable source so please don't think that I am making this up. But it seems that along with all the other silly looking fashion lines coming out this year there is one from Ukrainian designer Aleksey Zalevskiy which claims to be "dog inspired" Yes you read that correctly, Dog inspired. This line goes as far as featuring models with dog muzzles and even lamp shade cone heads on... you know the ones that dogs have to wear after surgery to keep them from licking themselves.

I have a little problem with this. Ladies if you don't stand up for your gender and denounce this as complete crap I may start to lose respect for you. Are you kidding me that a fashion designer was actually bold enough to get models to walk down the runway wearing clothing that debases females in such a blatant manner and portrays them as less than human? I am almost shocked that the models agreed to do it...however we are talking about fashion models who don't have the most stellar intellectual reputation in the first place but I digress. Where is PETA on this one? Where is Gloria Steinem? Oh yeah she is too busy sticking her foot in her mouth while campaigning for Hillary. Where is Michael Vick? Where is the outrage from anyone with any common sense?

What is next? How much more blatant does sexism have to get? Do they have to come out with a clothing line that emphasises barefoot and pregnant women and accessorizes with frying pans and laundry baskets? Are we as a society regressing here folks? Yeesh.

Please tell me if I am off base here but I think some outrage is deserved on this one.

-Doc

34 comments:

Doc said...

BTW - It's possible that this designer stole a little bit of his idea from Mt. Cat's "Female Feed Bag" blog...

Schmoop said...

I know more than a few people who would like me to wear that muzzle outfit everyday. Cheers!!

mr zig said...

The first thought that came into my mind when I saw the picture with model with a cone around her head was "What if it rains... she could drown" - then I laughed and decided that if this kinda thing becomes the norm I'm moving to the moon!

Dana said...

I don't know ... I don't take this stuff seriously. Fashion (in this sense) is more about art than it is about clothing. Come on! No "real" woman would ever consider actually wearing this stuff. They are just a bunch od self-centered ass-hats who are looking for some gimmick to get them on the cover of Vogue.

Unknown said...

Ha, ha...Mr. Zig!

They've got to be kidding. Although, aren't dog collars (chokers) still in style? I liked those.

This might be one time that I support those models' outrageous salaries.

The Mountain Cat said...

Eh fashion has been going to the dogs for years anyway.
This is something Zoolander wouldn't even wear! woof.

As American as Apple Pie said...

Dana--I agree with the art stuff. Most of the things you see in Fashion week don't actually make it to the stores.

Doc--I'm not writing this off. The designer of this line obviously has had some issues with women in that he would want to portray them as dogs. However, I think fashion has gotten sooooo blown out of proportion that it is all about "what can I do that will get me attention". Well, he got it!

I'd love to hear the fallout of this from female celebs and feminists.

Mr. Zig--My thoughts exactly!

Vi said...

Thank god I don't follow the fashion trends is all I can say! All that's missing from the top photo is the dogs collar!

Doc said...

Matt-Man - I have a few I would like to stick on as well....

Mr. Zig - I didn't even think of the health hazzard!

Dana - Just art huh?

Christine - I am not sure if it's a joke or not...

Mt. Cat - Now I know why I never saw Zoolander

Apple - So it's just blown out of proportion huh? Hey I guess if ya'll (women)aren't outraged by this then maybe I shouldn't be either... I wonder exactly how sexist they would have to be on the runway to get women up in arms?

Doc said...

Vi - I am with you, thats about all thats missing... however I bet they are there on other outfits.

As American as Apple Pie said...

Doc--did you actually read my post? I said I'm not writing this off but that fashion as a whole is all about calling attention to one's self. If there are actually women out there who would be that desperate for attention that they would wear this, then they have bigger problems than sexism. Plus, I said the designer has issues with women, obviously. Gee...I'm kind of being psychoanalytical today. Or maybe it's just psycho...hmmm.

Unknown said...

Hi Doc: Knowing that models make a ton of money, I was saying that this designer better have been paying them triple that in order to strut down the runway in that getup!

Doc said...

Apple - I am still wondering where the outrage is...

Phfrankie Bondo said...

I must agree with Dana...leave 'em alone...let 'em have their fun and games....just a gimmick....besides, if one doesn't like it, one can always not look at it....

Karen said...

I am with Dana also. It is art to an extent. They don't create runway designs to be worn. Art is certainly in the eye of the beholder.

HOWEVER, Did you hear that Victoria Secret has made it corporate policy to be less sexy? Apparently, middle America thinks they have become too sexy-trashy and they need get back to sexy-classy. There is one for Gloria Stienm. (Though I hate that crazy lady!)

Lu' said...

Crap don't have time to look but just have to say HAHA HAHA HAHA for pic #1!

Doc said...

Christine - Yeah - I see your point!

Frankie - The look the other way approach...interesting.

Karen - I did hear about VS and had that on my list of things to blog about until this dog fashion crap trumped it....LOL!

Unknown said...

I just ordered from Vicky's - and returned. Ordered again - returned again. Their stuff is cheap!

As American as Apple Pie said...

I am glad to hear that VS is going back to sexy-classy. Who wants to be seen as trashy? Plus, I am hoping that this trickles down to all the other stores, especially the ones that cater to MS & HS girls. Things are starting to get out of hand!

Doc said...

...especially the ones that cater to MS & HS girls. Things are starting to get out of hand!
- I nominate this for the understatement of the year...STARTING to get out of hand? LOL MS girls wear stuff that is waaaaaay to "old" for them to be wearing. I almost included an item about what young girls wear these days in my random thoughts from our trip but didn't want anyone to call me a perv

Unknown said...

Hey Doc and Mt Cat: I just noticed a little trash can at the bottom of my comment entries. Am I the only one who can see that? Are you trying to tell me something? I've been pretty benign with my comments.

Jay said...

What happened to the good old days when the models just walked down the runway in see through tops?

Doc said...

Christine - Everyone has that trash can... That is the ability for you to delete your comment if you wish... now that you registered with blogger you have that option... Of course Mt Cat and I can erase anyone's comments if we wanted... I had to one time when someone came in and flamed Single in the City...I just went "Poof" and them and their bad attitude went away...

Anonymous said...

I don't know about any of the other women here, but I personally am disgusted AND outraged! True, most of the stuff in these fashion shows don't ever make it to the streets and on real people. However, this is beyond obscene...and shame on the models who actually agreed to wear this stuff - for any amount of $$!!

LeapOFaith

Doc said...

Ok - I have to be honest here... I am not really outraged at this fashion thing. I agree with the rest of you that it's just plain stupid and over the top... I was just trying to coax someone into really going off on this fashion designer (I had Leignann, Jahooni, and Apple specifically in mind)but sadly no one took the bait...

HAAAHAAHAHAHAHA - That Cone head thing is ridiculous...why would anyone even if they were getting paid put one of those on???

Doc said...

THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING UP LEAP O' - YOU TELL THEM !!!!

NOW I AM OUTRAGED AGAIN!!!!

As American as Apple Pie said...

Doc--so sorry to disappoint. I saw through your little ruse. ;-)~

Doc said...

It's sad Apple... your lack of outrage concerned me.... next time I will find better bait.

Anonymous said...

I am into fashion, but mostly the handbags and shoes,boots and accessories, this is is ummm Off the hook! They are making this whole make women look like sex toys! He needs to design for kinky stores and just put out a magazine and leave the runway ALONE!!!!!!!!!!

Single!

Anonymous said...

meant to say whole line!!

Leighann said...

High fashion is a joke. This designer however is succeeding in getting his brand out there. He's got all of us talking about it, right?

Sorry Doc, I don't give a rats ass about high fashion. (or the models who wear it) You'll have to find something else to get me enraged!

none said...

Well now at least we know supermodels will not be able to lick themselves.

Lu' said...

Or chew until bald but most wax anyway.

M*BOMBr said...

Considering it's winter I am just thankful that she didn't wear white pumps with that outfit!!