I was reading the Friday's issue, September 12 2008, of The Straits Times, Urban newspaper and I was pondering upon the very striking heading "GET THE LOOK".
How do you define the "LOOK"? Apparently, the media's idea of getting the look is to pile someone up with lots of make-up, powder and colours. As published in this issue of the newspaper, the article "All Fall In", the media teaches their readers how to brush up on their brows, giving them tips on how to use plum mascara for a sultry effect, and how you can contrast last year's statment of fuschia pink with this year's eye-popper; a splash of lime green. I wouldn't think that knowing all these fashion tips give you the look. Rather, it's how you view it. As learnt in COM 101, prototypes differ between individuals. To some, it seems important to conform to the society's view of beauty as they want to be labelled as 'cool' or belong to the 'in' crowd. Nevertheless, it doesn't apply to everyone. Essentially, it all boils down to how one order, arrange and differentiate informations.
As we can all see, media is one of the most powerful source of communication. See how it works, a fashion statment is being made, models excute the statement, brands and labels carry out the mission, and consumers follow suit. All these wouldn't have been possible if there were no advertisments or media reports. Media plays such an important role in our life that we as readers tend to take their word for it.
Have you come across people who are followers of the latest fashion trend? They get so engrossed in reading beauty magazines and newspaper articles that talk about the latest make-up product or the most chic dress available. It is because the media is blowing up the idea of "make-up, else you do NOT have the look", hence readers start doubting themselves and conform to the society's standard of beauty. Can I safely say that these are the people who wants to be linked to the group of the "Most Fashionable" and not be outcast? Would I then be right to conclude that the followers simply want to share the same attributes as the "Fashionable" group and conveniently blend in the group by similarity?
Well, or am I simply drawing conclusions based on my perception and bits of information that I have? As in human nature, closure is influenced mainly by ones perceptual tendencies. Whatever it may be, please advice.
14 comments:
As I read this article, it is true that the power of media plays an almost unchallenged role in portraying mindsets and setting trends nowadays. I draw this conclusion from some of the daily life encounters I have. Take perhaps, school (NUS), the closest to my heart for example. The above particular trend of dressing up to stay in fashion, or to look trendy is extremely prevalent. The pairing of micro-shorts with some top is like the 'in' culture this season. It would probably be considered 'dowdy' or out of my place if you had picked conventional jeans over those shorts in the eyes of many. Another incident that occurred to me was this girl who was sitting beside me in lecture. Occasionally, I peeped to see what had her so engrossed in the laptop. I saw her shopping through the latest fasion and shoewear on forever21.com, and periodically glancing over to the lecturer to catch up. Indeed, I believe many of us, myself included are bought over by what media says and does nowadays, with differing extents. The most important I feel, is to remain true to your own identity to avoid being lost in this bottomless pit.
Personally, I believe in the quote "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". And I prefer girls without makeup as I don't like the idea of kissing cosmetics. But jokes aside. I guess the beauty industry IS a businness. The real point is not in beauty instruction; however encouraging women to spend their dollars on buying cosmetic products. The media and advertisments are huge mediums to reach consumers and what better than to tell women what looks good on them?
a typical example of 'judging a book by it cover'. a well dressed person spotting the latest fashion sense may not have the most honest of intentions.
perception (or deception is some sense) is altered when people follow blindly what is being 'advised' in the media. this creates hordes of 'photocopies', and we loose our individuality.
maybe that's why i never follow fashion trends. don't believe in it.
Well, from what you have said, whether one belongs to the 'in' crowd can have differing meanings too.
This would apply when the 'in' or 'cool' group are those with alternative dressings. I have to say that perception and the overall identity associated with this group do have a very big association with this.
True, it almost cannot be helped for people to follow the trends which are communicated through the media and for people to be attracted to these groups. But looking on the other end, many of these 'in' groups do have a certain way in which they choose to dress. take for example, gothic looks, rustic looks. These are looks which reflects the personality or the interest of the person.And it may involve alot of makeup...
But personally,i will have to say that whether getting the look you want is based on personal preference or simply following the crowd, losing the identity in which you hold would be worse off.
Personally i think that having the 'look' helps to boost one's confidence in some aspects. There's no right or wrong in following suit to fashion statement, but it's crucial to know which suits you and which is not so as not to follow blindly.
Putting cosmetics aside, there are trends like, Crocs shoes and Crumpler bags, which retails for high prices and have imitations. I think the cost price of those shoes or bags are not even a quarter of what people paid for them. What's more, everyone will be wearing the same thing, with no sense of individuality. Personally I find that the important factors in buying shoes or bags are comfort, design and most importantly, your own style.
The mass media is very influential. Trends start because of them. If the media shows that this particular product or style is the "in thing" now, people will go and get it. I feel that it is a way to increase the sales of cosmetics in the case of the article. By increasing people attention to the latest trends and make up. People will want to experiment with it and they have to purchase cosmetics in order to follow the style. If there is no mass media would there by trends that people subscribe to?
Another thing is that these people who follow all these trends place a great deal of importance of outwards appearances and physical beauty. It takes a certain type of person to be attracted to certain things. And yes, the media and fashion magazines are certainly very compelling sources to be influenced by when you're impressionable and susceptible to caring about such topics.
But oh well. People choose to lead their lives in different ways and focus on different things. In the end we have only ourselves to blame for becoming influenced and falling under the fashion or media trap. I bet all of us can be guilty of behavior where we buy something because we thought it looked cool in the advertisements we saw. To a certain extent, we are all weak that way.
Yes, people are indeed becoming more and more shallow and materialistic. The main culprits? Technology and the media.
The media has been stressing on the material world and outer beauty. Celebrities opt for plastic surgery, splurge on branded cosmetics, attend intensive slimming and beauty sessions, etc. They are causing a very huge misconception among people, especially the females and young generation. People are constantly worried about how they look, are they fat, are they attractive, are they "sexy"...
If THEY THINK THEY ARE fat, they go on crash diets. If THEY THINK THEY ARE not attractive, more money will be spent on cosmetic surgery. If THEY THINK THEY ARE not "sexy", they would not have second thoughts about getting multiple boob jobs or lipo-suction. The worst thing is technology had made all these possible, for people to become even more shallow and only look at others' appearance.
Hi there..
I'm not a communication student, but I can see where you are coming from. It's true that the media is trying to shape our perception. Your statment on "How do you define the LOOK?" It's so true. No one person or one organisation can define that. So base on what, do the media then presume that putting on make-up, mascara or whatever junk is on their face considered as the LOOK?? I wouldn't think so. Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.
Agree?
I like the terminologies you used- prototypes, differiante informations etc.. It looks really pro!
Good job.
stanley
Thanks all for the diverse discussion..
Eventually, it all boils down to just the media and how they try to shape our thoughts.
Essentially, we just have to learn how to filter information so that we do not become slaves of the media.
Some people are just to subscribed too the media these days.
Some are young & wants to be rich and famous.
Some companies just wants to draw the blood out of human beings.
Some are the creative makeup artists & fashion designers.
It all adds up...A + B = C
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