Seriously, what runs through your mind looking at the above ad?
I mean, who is this appealing to?
What does she look like she’s doing? And where is she going??!
Really, Mr. Paul Marciano!!
I feel that in the past couple years Guess ads are getting more and more…um…skankalicious. The brand has always been about sexuality – both subtle and overt…but something like this I feel kind of crosses the line, like those American Apparel ads. (warning: semi-NSFW images if you click)
Is this post-feminism at play or just some guy’s misogyny? (Or being totally out-of-touch with his consumers?)
What kind of woman would buy this?
What’s your take?
xoxox
Carly
A friend of mine who is a male fashion designer one asked me “how are there enough hoochies in the world to keep a brand like Guess in operation?”
I have to agree with him there. It's astounding that women still buy Guess with ads like this one.
Your posts always strike a chord. x
she looks like a hooker and for some reason the american appeal ads dont bother me as much, I guess becuz they are more raw.
but I think it's a form of art and more thought goes into them than the simple “lets make this sell” because if it was that simple then wouldn't these kinds of ads have the opposite effect on most women? wouldn't they not want to buy their product becuz the ad is more appealing to men rather than the woman?
it bothers me a great deal – as a woman and a mother – that this line is pretty much accessible to pre-teen/teen girls. Ive never been a proponent of over doing rules in schools but Im grateful for some clothing rules at my daus' middle school which delineate skirt/short length and displays of flesh. Girls truly dont have a clue what their ensembles could be telegraphing – maybe its the 'old folk' like me who have minds in gutters but girls are seeking to emulate looks w/out having been exposed to the elements which make us mothers cringe at the sight and fear for them.
I tend to lean toward the misogynistic side on this one, a man designing a womans appearance to appeal not to other women's taste but men's libidos. Its too much and too little at once, and dont get me started on the whole – lets applaud the move to raise the fashion model age to a ripe old 16! …
your title is killing me. ..so funny. so true!
I agree. It's ironic that we condemn the women who work as prostitutes yet use their 'look' to be 'arty'. This is a shocking ad…however…if it was for say, Fredericks of Holywood, we wouldn't bat an eyelid! Guess is merely riding on the raunch culture bandwagon. Kate Moss gets kudos for when she rides it…
It's misogynistic. Hookers are essentially a man's slave.
I loved the 80s, 90s Guess ads…the were cheeky sexy, playful sensuality… Claudia Schiffer as Brigitte, Laetitia Casta was/is just divine, hell, even Anna-Nicole was all buxom fabulousness!
As for American Apparel…I also find it hilarious that the AA market/demographic is wholesome, laidback, easy wearing yet they use pornographic imagery to sell it!! They have good 'basics' but do I really need to be sold a bodysuit by a spread-eagled crotch shot close-up.
I have nothing against 'in your face' sexuality. I love nudity, don't have a problem with pornography either. It's context though, art is art and porn isn't.
I applaud a woman's right to be whatever she chooses to be but the AA pics are seedy… desperate. The girls have this look in their eyes, like they hope this will be their big chance to become a supermodel or Oscar winning actress and they're willing to do anything for that dream… it makes me so sad to look at them. I find their overt sexuality paedophilic…a mental abuse.
I have a teenage daughter…it's always a fine balance. I want for her to be proud of herself as a woman with all the many facets that make up womanhood, and sexuality and sensuality are major attributes of a true feminist womans psyche.
…but sexuality is becoming more and more a manipulation tool.
Thank you, Dusk & trashywriter, for your eloquent and thought-provoking comments. I loved the 80's/90's Guess ads too – they were so sexy without being trashy. Guess's demographic is late teens and up – thus this is sending a pretty clear message, I feel. However, the AA ads are far worse in my opinion – they're staged in such a way that you become a voyeur – and it's unnecessary – do you really need bare nipples when seeing a pair of tights; open crotch shots when selling a bodysuit? It's so degrading, and so many people don't even realize it's degrading. Not even Victoria's Secret or Frederick's of Hollywood stoop that low…AA's marketing tactics are on par with companies marketing sex toys, XXX lingerie, and porn – except it's on billboards, in magazines, and on websites that are “G” rated. I don't have a problem with porn per se – when it's not being used to sell t-shirts!! I'll be buying Alternative Apparel from now on, and Guess…ugh. I never really buy from them anyway.
Thank you for all your comments, ladies!
xoxox
Carly
Can anyone help me donate to help Japan?
I am just so sad by what happened in Japan with the earthquake plus tsunami and I really want to assist all of them by donation.
Does any individual find out a website or anything where one can donate to support Japan?
Yup in this pic she looks cheap this wouldnt sppeal to me, if anything it puts me off guess!
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