{"id":8514,"date":"2016-12-04T21:45:15","date_gmt":"2016-12-05T03:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thesocietypages.org\/girlwpen\/?p=8514"},"modified":"2016-12-04T22:16:52","modified_gmt":"2016-12-05T04:16:52","slug":"why-rejecting-corsets-and-hair-extensions-isnt-celebrating-anything-except-the-imperative-to-be-beautiful","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thesocietypages.org\/girlwpen\/2016\/12\/04\/why-rejecting-corsets-and-hair-extensions-isnt-celebrating-anything-except-the-imperative-to-be-beautiful\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Rejecting Corsets and Hair Extensions Isn\u2019t \u201cCelebrating\u201d Anything Except the Imperative to Be Beautiful"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is refusing to wear a corset really breaking news in 2016? As multiple news<\/a>, fashion, <\/a>and entertainment <\/a>sites have discussed over the past week, Emma Watson, the actress playing Belle in Disney\u2019s live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast<\/em>, will not be wearing a corset in the film. Articles covering this phenomenon state that Watson worked closely with costume designer Jacqueline Durran to recreate Belle\u2019s iconic yellow gown to be \u201clight\u201d with a \u201clots of movement\u201d because Belle is being reinterpreted as an “active princess<\/a>.\u201d The dress does hide a cage underneath layers of silk, satin, and organza, and Watson is wearing high-heels, but apparently these features of the dress will not impede the new Belle\u2019s activity level.<\/p>\n

Masking the absence of corsets as a major coup for gender equality is like hiding a wolf (or should we say beast?) in sheep\u2019s clothing. It gives the illusions of progress, and generates praise and profits for Disney, without changing anything. Girl\u2019s are already active; their participation in sports is at an all time high. Let\u2019s keep encouraging female physicality. But we really need to stop insisting girls and women look hot while running, dancing, or or leading the free world<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Another major news story this week, at least according to our facebook feeds, is the \u201chuge<\/a>\u201d decision Victoria’s Secret made regarding their 2016 fashion show. The models will be \u201cembracing\u201d their natural hair. Strangely, Victoria\u2019s Secret\u2019s vision of natural hair doesn\u2019t actually involve letting hair remain natural. Models\u2019 natural texture will be “enhanced”<\/a> (read: styled) by professionals using a host of products and appliances. But in what is being reported as a major break from the past, every model\u2019s hair will not look exactly the same.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not that refusing corsets or presenting more than one hairstyle isn\u2019t a step forward. But it\u2019s ridiculous to call these decisions a momentous move toward a more inclusive<\/a> beauty standard. If we\u2019re going to cover this, let\u2019s call it what it is: the teeniest, tiniest tip-toe toward progress.<\/p>\n

Victoria\u2019s Secret got the message that they shouldn\u2019t dress white models in racially offensive costumes<\/a> to sell bras. The lingerie corporation has been featuring more black and brown models in recent years. But skin color is the only way these women deviate from the standard lingerie model \u201clook,\u201d making Victoria\u2019s Secret about as progressive as the Miss World pageant. At least at Miss World the contestants are permitted to talk and wear clothes.<\/p>\n

Sustainable social change is often incremental. It doesn\u2019t ever happen as quickly as the people demanding it want. It is partial and provokes backlash. But there\u2019s incremental advancement and then there is recasting the most diminutive wobble toward progress as “making history.”<\/a> Let\u2019s not reward corporations for exchanging the pink bow on the same old narrowly restrictive beauty standards for a blue one.<\/p>\n

Some might see looking to Disney or Victoria\u2019s Secret to model a more inclusive gender or beauty ideal as a lost cause. Both are giant corporations, in the business of selling stuff and generating profits. Unless it leads to more money, they don\u2019t have an incentive to challenge the status quo regarding gender stereotypes or cultural beauty standards.<\/p>\n

But Disney and Victoria\u2019s Secret are big business. The Beauty and the Beast <\/em>trailer was viewed 127.6 million times in 1 day, making it the most watched trailer<\/a> in a 24 hour period. The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show will be broadcast to 800 million viewers in 190 countries<\/a> on December 5. On the off chance either wants to put their money where their mouth is and \u201cembrace\u201d some real diversity or approach any type of action that could semi-reasonably be referred to as \u201cmaking history,\u201d here are a few suggestions for Victoria’s Secret:<\/p>\n