What if fashion ads objectified men the same scary way they do women?
What if they made men look cheekily at the camera while posing with their legs open or “sexily” drop their pants and wink at the camera?
It’s the question posed in an essay on sexism for social activism and news website, Take Part.
Writers tackled the question by remaking controversial fashion ads, replacing female models with male ones.
The result is hilarious and very disturbing.
Illustrated by Lauren Wade
The pair focused on two of the creepiest men in the US fashion industry, American Apparel founder Dov Charney and alleged sex offender photographer Terry Richardson.
“I think photoshopping men’s faces and bodies into these ads points a finger at how ridiculously demoralising they really are,” Wade told The Huffington Post.
“My hope in pointing this finger is to spark and keep a conversation going—especially amongst women. I think as a whole we’ve just gotten used to seeing women depicted this way and the only way we can change it is if we stop staying silent and demand change.”
Illustrated by Lauren Wade
In a time where workplace sexual harassment has criminal ramifications, Charney and Richardson have been responsible for fostering an environment where women depicted as sexual objects, victims of sexual violence or disembodied body parts are acceptable.
And they’re been doing it for decades.
With the ousting of Charney’s appointment as American Apparel CEO, Terry Richardson’s ongoing sexual harassment allegations, and heavy-handed retouching of one of his images last week, these could be two signs that the reign of their porny, candid and “authentic” aesthetic is officially over.
We hope so.
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Take a look through the rest of the campaign images below.
Has these images changed the way you view women in advertising?
Top Comments
The body beautiful! Why dont we just admire it, in all its shapes&types?
I workout and have a decent body. Got a 6pack and I am 6ft tall.
But i I wear anything that isnt 'normal' in terms of guys clothing, you just hear people making comments or being shocked because of it. Besides that, there isn't much variety in mens clothing either. Shirts, tshirts, pants an shorts. That's it.