Hyper-sexualisation of the female body is seen continually seen throughout the media- whether it be social media or on fashion campaigns in a magazine. Everyday, we are bombarded with images of sexualised women without even noticing because it has become a part of the modern cultural norm. Women are constantly objectified, degraded and stripped of their identity to nothing but their sexual appeal.
Of all the examples above, fashion campaigns of provocative nature undoubtedly diminish women of their worth, portraying women in a superficial and trivial light, utilising women’s physical traits to sell. To what extent is this considered ethical for photoshoots and editorials to be built on the concept of sex and graphic acts like rape or sexual harassment? Such sensitive and heavy topics should not be commercialised and trivialised to advertise, as it only strips away the importance of those issues.
Terry Richardson- an American fashion photographer, who has photographed campaigns for brands like Sisely, Tom Ford, Supreme, Marc Jacobs, and Yves Saint Laurent. Richardson is also infamous for utilising his influence in the fashion industry to sexually assault and exploit his models during photoshoots. Various allegations have been made towards the photographer, and sources have linked him to ‘hardcore pornography’ acts from photoshoots. Unethical sexual harassment and violation of models at the workplace is objectively intolerable. Hence, the change.org petition that was made to stop brands from hiring Richardson, and has over 45,000 signatures.
Kohei Yoshiyuki is a Japanese photographer most known for his series of photographs, “Kōen”, which was showcased at Komai Gallery in Tokyo in 1979. The series of black and white photographs is comprised of people committing sexual acts in the park, with strangers around them taking part in vouyerism. Controversy quickly began to arise after these photographs were seen by the public, questions regarding the ethical boundary between spectator and participant surfaced.
In conclusion, I do not support the concept of sexualising & objectifying women, and commercialising serious issues like rape and sexual assault for the sake of selling products. Although I do believe sex does sell, there should be a certain extent where sex appeal crosses the line and instead becomes unethical and wrong.
References
Burroughs, W. (2006). Fantasy Kits: Steven Meisel’s State of Emergency –. [online] Ballardian. Available at: http://www.ballardian.com/fantasy-kits-steven-meisels-state-of-emergency [Accessed 27 Nov. 2018].
Duncan, A. (2015). Dolce & Gabbana under fire again after ‘gang rape’ advert days after IVF furore | Metro News. [online] Metro. Available at: https://metro.co.uk/2015/03/18/dolce-gabbana-in-hot-water-again-after-gang-rape-ad-campaign-resurfaces-just-days-after-ivf-furore-5108624/ [Accessed 27 Nov. 2018].
Huynh, J. (2012). (2001) Sisley-Paris Cosmetics ft. Josie Maran, photographed by Terry Richardson. [online] Gender & Society Fall 2012. Available at: https://gsws002.wordpress.com/2012/10/13/965/ [Accessed 27 Nov. 2018].
Metmuseum.org. (2018). Kohei Yoshiyuki | Untitled | The Met – Metropolitan Museum of Art. [online] Available at: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/296304 [Accessed 27 Nov. 2018].
The Fashion Law. (2012). Tom Ford and a Lesson in Copyright Law. [online] Available at: http://www.thefashionlaw.com/home/tom-ford-and-copyright-law [Accessed 27 Nov. 2018].
Yossimilo. (n.d.). Yossi Milo Gallery | Kohei Yoshiyuki. [online] Available at: https://yossimilo.com/artists/kohei-yoshiyuki [Accessed 27 Nov. 2018].
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