The author of the blog peacehopetrees.tumblr.com strives
to prove that Victoria’s Secret “teaches women that [they] are objects to be
owned and experienced.” She goes on to
show that the male-dominated company is catered towards pleasing the needs of
men. As a result, women are the
subordinate sex by blindly supporting Victoria’s Secret.
The author criticizes Victoria’s Secret for having their
models play a “passive role” where they are “hyper-sexualized” and “anti-intellectual.” The models play everything but a passive role
in the annual fashion show. Victoria’s
Secret is one of the very few modeling industries that encourages their models
to express their creativity and individuality both on and off the runway. The women are not walking closet hangers with
their mouths sewn shut, they are all unique individuals who show how down to
earth they are in interviews and segments in between the runway in the fashion
show. For example, the 2012 fashion show
had a segment on Candice Swanepoel’s life growing up in South Africa and
discovering her passion for modeling.
Also, the author gives into the stereotype that models
are brain-dead beauties. All of the
models are inspirations rather than train-wrecks – they show how women can live
a balanced life between their career, family, and simply enjoying life. Miranda Kerr, for example, manages being a
mother to her almost two-year old son Flynn, wife to Orlando Bloom, CEO of her
organic skincare line Kora Organics, author of the self-help book Treasure Yourself, and one of the top Victoria’s Secret
models.
Considering both of the CEOs for Victoria’s Secret are
women – Lori Greeley and Sharen Jester Turney – the author’s claim that the
company gives into a “media culture created for men by men” is false. Even if the company were run by men, this is
a business, and they are simply catering to their audience of females. As a matter of fact, the Examiner reveals
that more women than men watch the fashion show, with “twice as many women as
men in the 18-34 age group.”
Victoria’s Secret is critiqued for focusing more on how
women can “better please their men” as opposed to their comfort. The company sells more than just lingerie;
their fashion show also advertises their fragrances, beauty products, clothing,
footwear, active wear, and swimwear.
Judging by the success of this company, without them having basic comfort,
it is doubtful that they would get this far.
The author ends with the notion that women should boycott
Victoria’s Secret for “favoring misogyny” and keeping women in the mindset that
they can “purchase success” and look like their models. It is natural that Victoria’s Secret will
have high standards for their models, simply because they are a company and
they are looking to maximize their profits.
Just like McDonald’s has a food stylist to make the burgers looks
perfect on commercials, Victoria’s Secret casts models that will help sell
their merchandise.
Because ultimately, that’s the goal of Victoria’s Secret:
sell merchandise, not dehumanize women.
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