http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/fashion/05ROW.html?_r=1&ref=fashion
This piece, written by Eric Wilson for the New York Times, discusses the presence of Hello Kitty and Barbie at this years fashion week. The topic is actually intresting, both prominent dolls and cultural icons are being featured at fashion week events alongside some huge names in the designer world. Barbie is having an actual runway show with looks inspired by the doll and hello kitty looks are ebing featured at a party held by the big name is makeup, MAC.
This topic I found was actually intresting, and I believe that the article could have been great with this topic, getting an in-depth look at how two previous figures for children have rocketed to become huge heavyweights in the fashionworld. The journalist could have looked at the affect barbie has had in the brands 50 years of exsistence, and hello kitty with it's 34 years.
Instead of this however, the piece took a rather saterical turn. The fact that the article ends with, "M-e-o-w." probably alone gets my point about being saterical across, but the topic did have a lot of potential. I found this articles attempts at being funny distracting from the true meaning of the topic, though I do see the point of poking fun at two dolls causing such a huge splash at fashion week.
I feel that this article was unique, in both topic and writing style. I really wish more investigation had been done and more of a back story to how these brands got so big was talked about. I also kind of wish the journalist interviewed more people, seeing as many of the quotes basically said,“Hello Kitty is edgier, and Barbie is more sophisticated.” in one way or another. Either way, it was a funny article, with an intresting topic, and with fashion week getting so much coverage, it's nice to be able to poke fun at it a little.
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3 comments:
When I first read that Barbie and Hello Kitty would appear at fashion week I was surprised. Now granted, I know next to nothing about fashion week, in fact I was unaware of its existence until I read this blog. But aside from that, I had always thought of the two icons as children's things, therefore out of place on the runway. But come to think of it, it is true that many characters typically thought of as children's, are found on items geared towards adults, such as purses etc so I guess I shouldn't be that surprised.
I agree that the topic had a lot of potential for an interesting story, it's not serious topic but it deals with "public figures" that most people have heard of.
I also agree that the article was satirical at points and because it was simply an article this does indicate some sort of bias that probably shouldn't have been present in the article. But still, it's pretty much a light, harmless article (I would think) and it was fun to read even for someone like me who has not the slightest interest in upcoming fashion trends.
After I read your blog and the article itself I couldn't help but chuckle to myself, remembering the times where I dressed up my barbie in scandelous but sophisticated garb.
I do agree with abbie, both Hello Kitty and Barbie are child icons, but they have definitely prospered into something much greater. The style they create is an inspiration to many designers and they both bring interest to seperate types of people, style-wise.
Although at times it was satirical, I can also concur that the article had a lot of potential for an interesting story, even with its bias. Hello Kitty and barbie are both child icons and would mostly intruige children, the fashion show and designer brands could reel in a lot of older eyes as well.
I think this topic was very interesting and it was unique. Barbie and Hello Kitty are iconic figures, and therefore could be used in fashion shows for many reasons. These two style figures could be used as inspiration for the designers, yet they also open the fashion world to a more diverse group of people. Many people can relate to these icons and children will as well. Therefore, having these figures in Fashion Week may spark an interest in design for younger generations.
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