Kids' Reactions to High Fashion Ad Campaigns by Alexander Wang, Balmain and Marc Jacobs
As always, little kids say it like it is.
Designed to be attention-grabbing and provocative, high fashion ad campaigns more often than not seem absurd in execution, so much so that we have become largely jaded to it. However, kids know best, as is demonstrated in this video by artist Yolanda Dominguez of a group of 8-year-olds reacting to fashion ad campaigns. Featuring ads for both menswear and womenswear by global brands such as Dior, Vogue, Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbana and Alexander Wang, the kids almost unanimously see the female models – who are often portrayed as hunched over or sprawled on the floor — as homeless, sick, dying or in need of some form of help, whilst the male models are thought to be corporate bosses, FBI, going to university, or in other positions of power and privilege, thanks to their erect stances and forward-facing glances.
“Kids decoded the images and exposed the implicit violence and inequality when it comes to the way women and men are treated in these editorials,” said Yolanda. “Why do we link these kinds of images with glamour and luxury? Why doesn’t anybody denounce this situation? How do these images influence our visual education?” Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
