Recently, Lucie Boshier, a young fashion designer, was criticized for her offensive ad which was created to promote the awareness of sex, drugs, and the not so glamorous side of the fashion industry. The cartoon shows a middle aged man sexually abusing a young girl who is snorting cocaine off the ground.
However, Boshier stands by her poster commenting, "After seeing sides of the fashion industry that are neither glamorous nor empowering, I decided that Lucie Boshier would not be just another fashion label but I was inspired to build a brand that spreads love, empowers people and challenges the traditions of the fashion industry," and "... I know that not everybody will understand my brand and opinions for whatever reason. I am on a mission to make a positive impact through the fashion industry and I'm having a hell of a lot of fun doing it."
I find the cartoon a little offensive and I'm not sure if I would feel comfortable with kids looking at the this when they are walking through the streets. Maybe it's because I don't want to acknowledge the fact that the fashion industry isn't so glamorous and that there are many dangerous aspects of the industry.
I do understand where Lucie Boshier is coming from and I find her very brave to make a move like this. But I also feel that there are other ways of awaring people, especially young kids, about the dark side of fashion instead of just thrusting an ad like this in their face.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Another Controversial Advertisment
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32 comments:
Its true to know that these things happen, but to openly do a poster like this is like you say a brave move to take-it may make or break her career.
I don't think this cartoon is showing what she wants it to show, I looked at it before I read the entry, and I didn't really get it, maybe it's just me though!
I think she may have been criticized due to the obvious fact that it is Karl Lagerfield in the cartoon?? .. maybe if she made anonymous characters..
.. I have to admit, I don't pay attention to what's going on with fashion designers' personal lives, collections yes, but not their personal lives, but is Karl Lagerfield known as taking advantage or something? I have heard nothing sordid about him at all.. If not, then I see the cartoon as being completely irrelevant...
I agree with you that it is a little over the top. While I presume we all get the hint, it is a bit too rude. Then again, some people like to shock as a way of communicating and getting attention.
Never seen the ad before, though.
One thing I've noticed nowadays in the art world is the continuous desire to create infamy through "shock". I do admire her stance on the matter and her ability to stand by it through criticism, but there does leave a question of her intent. Did she create this to really reach the "young audience" about the despairs of the fashion industry, or did she choose this approach for its ability to bring her name into the spotlight as the artist who shamelessly portrayed a drugfiend and a Karl Lagerfield lookalike?
Over time I've grown to not react as strongly to "shock" art, although I'm sure it's what gives it the oomph it needs. I figure looking at things objectively would give me some time to look at the broader image, rather than what I would see if I were enraged, shocked, or disgusted.
And I would love to linkswap with you! Sorry for long comment, just random musings at 3am.
Wow, all of these are really good comments...This is certainly shocking, and I agree with N, that I'm not sure the image is doing what she wants it to do...
Also, there is the matter of shcok value, the value of chock conversely. How much is it really worht it these days to make images like this and feel they have a larger impact on public consciousness??
its pretty obvious who who in the campaign. while i do appreciate the pop culture reference and it is pretty fun revel in the obvious fact of the situation, i think the line was crossed the moment they made it so personal.
while a lot of fashion people are personas, hidden behind big glasses and the glamour of their work, they are still people who must come home to their children, friends, lovers and so forth...
interesting post and thanks for stopping by. and sure--you are linked!
love,
danny
http://dannydaily.typepad.com/
I feel that it is a bit too much too. But well, for evrything, there is a good a bad side? Maybe should could have done it in a different way!
Btw, I'd love to do a link exchange! Have just added you :)
Everyone in fashion knows this, but no one picks it up. I understand the work is sharp, however to wake up people who perfectly know the situation, I understand her. I really have to say that Lucie is very brave! She speaks her mind, but it may trigger some issues later!
I admire her braveness though xx
Oh my God!The man is Karl Lagerfeld!
I completely agree with you and clap the bravery of that designer.
I don't know...doesn't everyone already know about the dark side of the fashion industry? And I wouldn't show this to kids who do need to be disillusioned, because it's just too in-your-face. Also, it's rather rude because it is clearly mocking Karl Lagerfield--which I don't see why she needs to pick on one particular designer in order to make a statement. It would be more affective if it was less focused on one designer...
When I first saw this, I thought the same thing as Christina - such a blatant personal attack seems self-serving. Although the less cynical side of me does love a controversial image.
that´s a bad side of fashion that has to be over. those awful things are really unprofessional and terrible for the girls, industry and everybody...
Thanks very much for the congratulations, dear :)
Regarding the ad, it would be offensive to the general public but I think people should be able to express what's on their minds, with limitations of course.
Sorry I haven't gotten back to you sooner about exchanging links. I added your link ;-)
sure, i'd love to :) your blog looks pretty cool.
I really adore Karl Lagerfeld..
I'm not really sure what the point of the cartoon is, I feel like she could've easily issued a statement about the "dark side" of the fashion industry..
I don't have much love for Karl Lagerfeld, and I'm well aware that there are unpleasant things about working in fashion too - the anonoymous model who writes on jezebel.com, as well as Coco Rocha and Ali Michael, have brought light to that in recent times.
But I don't really think the poster, in its current form, achieves much except for gratuitous shock value- I admire her for her intent, but it could have been executed differently (and better).
I think it's abusive and offensive... over all for children who go walking and see that, but I guess she is quite right with the message...
As bloggers, and journalists in some form, we should realize that just as we have the right to write our opinions, designers can express themselves as they wish as well. Since no names are mentioned in the ad, it doesn't qualify as libel. I will agree that it's pretty shocking, but I have mixed feelings about it. I totally see everyones' points.
i guess it is raising awareness and that's good. but that cartoon looks a lot like karl lagerfeld....i'm sure he didn't appreciate that...now she is pointing fingers and that is not fair.
I love people who do exactly what they want. Really, the more obnoxious the better. It takes guts to stand by what you believe in, and for that I admire her. Sure, the ad is frightening, but in reality it's the truth. Girls are always being "raped", metaphorically speaking, of their innocence by the fashion industry. Don't get me wrong, I'm a fellow fashion addict, but like any addiction, people need to stop trying to pretend that it's all fun and games when it isn't.
She's cleverly using satire to draw our attention to a topic we don't normally discuss...I take my despotic hat (that was made in the 3rd world by underpaid children) to Lucie.
It's interesting that she wants to make a "positive impact" by showing an image that will make everyone who sees it feel distaste. There are a lot of other more tasteful ways to make a commentary! BTW-- I linked you! Love your thought-provoking posts!
Fashion is dark. I have many pals in the fashion world and it's really pretty on the outside but not so on the inside. It's lots of long hours and a very competitive world. I admire Lucie Boshierot but I think she should have focus on the issue rather than personal attack because we all know who she is referring to.
I totally agree. If I had kids of my own I wouldn't want them walking past a picture like that. I understand what she was trying to do, show the reality of the "oh so envied lifestyle of a supermodel" I think there is a time and a place and the the right time AND place is NOT in the faces of children. It's very adult oriented and maybe parents should know about it, but not kids. Anywho, I admire what she's trying to do ...'n nice post by the way :)
personally i think this is absolutely awful - enough said x
It totally looks like she's trying to attack Karl Lagerfelds image for whatever reason, instead of trying to say something about fashion. Being controversial doesn't mean it has to be in poor taste.
There are definEtly other ways to bring attention to this issue, the cartoon is too graphic, but hey one word: PUBLICITY!
I must agree with you. This poster is so in poor taste that it can only serve to undermine her message.
I am all for "in your face" marketing tactics. However, her message is offensive and rude rather than subversive and progressive.
Also, I feel there are more pressing issues in the fashion industry than models' lifestyles. I'm fairly certain there is a level of free will being executed while one chooses to party, do drugs, and befriend designers in bed. I believe the fur trade, knock offs, wal-mart type fashion, and cheap labor trade are of higher concern.
On another note, her line is hideous. And women need not be told they should wear pink and flowers to feel empowered. I feel empowered cooking in the kitchen or fixing a car, wearing whatever I choose, riding a bicycle, or gardening flowers. Women feel empowered doing what they love, not what they're told they should or shouldn't love.
The point of this cartoon is to be distasteful. As someone mentioned earlier, many already know this, but we think about the dark side of fashion in a very abstract way. I think this cartoon is saying, "If this disgust you than it shouldn't be okay to let these things happen." It takes our abstract concepts and makes them a disturbing reality.
I don't think the this cartoon was intended for young people, but I don't care. People have released statements and made more tasteful efforts and clearly this is still going on, so in my opinion maybe this is what needs to happen for this to stop. Maybe people need to be bombarded by crude images if nothing else has worked. These girls are as real as these images and their deaths, drug problems, and mental health are equally as real.
the fashion industry is a fucking business. It's not about empowerment, it's about money. it alwys has been so don't get that wrong and stop blaming them for your demise. they just put shit out, it's up to us to take it a face value or interpret what we want. By the way there a few if not any industries that do not abuse children.
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