W Magazine

[FuzzieAlum]

Is there anyone else who subscribes to W? It's a big fashion magazine (one that focuses mostly on fashion, not sex, with a nauseating amount of Rich People In New York). I had canceled my subscription, but my last issue came in the mail today.

The first fashion spread in it was done in the Dominican Republic. They frequently shoot in "exotic" locations, turning the locals into backdrops and accessories. In this case, it was local black Dominicans who provided the on-scene flavor.

The first picture showing clothes showed Cheryl Teague looking very blonde and white in a skimpy gold lame dress, surrounded on the beach by local girls (kids and teenagers) in very casual dress, all thronging around her and holding up old magazines she was on the cover of.

A couple of pages later, there was another white model running down the sidewalk, being pursued by two local men - and she was turning around with this look of fear on her face. Like they were about to mug her or worse ...

Am I alone in finding these message disturbing? "White imperialists (or white rich tourists) alternately idolized and resented by poor local blacks" seemed to be the theme. Yeah, let me tell you, that's the message I really want used to sell me clothes in the 21st century! Ugh! I'm glad this was my last issue.

[ROWDYsister]

That does sound a little disturbing. Couldn't they simply have shot there for the nice backdrop and not try and use the locals in such a demeaning way? I just hope those people were paid well.

[Steeltrap]

Originally posted by FuzzieAlum
Is there anyone else who subscribes to W? It's a big fashion magazine (one that focuses mostly on fashion, not sex, with a nauseating amount of Rich People In New York). I had canceled my subscription, but my last issue came in the mail today.

The first fashion spread in it was done in the Dominican Republic. They frequently shoot in "exotic" locations, turning the locals into backdrops and accessories. In this case, it was local black Dominicans who provided the on-scene flavor.

The first picture showing clothes showed Cheryl Teague looking very blonde and white in a skimpy gold lame dress, surrounded on the beach by local girls (kids and teenagers) in very casual dress, all thronging around her and holding up old magazines she was on the cover of.

A couple of pages later, there was another white model running down the sidewalk, being pursued by two local men - and she was turning around with this look of fear on her face. Like they were about to mug her or worse ...

Am I alone in finding these message disturbing? "White imperialists (or white rich tourists) alternately idolized and resented by poor local blacks" seemed to be the theme. Yeah, let me tell you, that's the message I really want used to sell me clothes in the 21st century! Ugh! I'm glad this was my last issue.

I don't subscribe to W, but I occasionally look at it. And the theme you describe is not uncommon in most fashion magazines.

It's a tired theme, however. There are ways of presenting clothes that are much more tasteful.