GIRL. I had the same question when I was researching this piece. As someone who has always talked about beauty as political in marketing her skincare line, this substack taught me that I’ve gone about it *all wrong*. It should have been glass skin first, then sneaking in caring about other people in community next.
Simple. Becuase “demoncratic socialism” destroys economies. This party can’t even define what a women is still, and is fighting about transgender mice studies from the department of eduction being defunded. There’s nothing romantically “soft” about relying on the government.
Finally someone said it. What happened to resilience and mindful work, pride and silent hard work. Why does every single fart need validation? What happened to strong independence?
That's exactly right! These things do NOT belong to them.
Women can do all the baking, birthing, breastfeeding, gardening, sewing etc. because these things are worthwhile and enjoyable to them and still be feminists. We can wear dresses and long hair just because it's our personal preference, too. We have to keep saying this.
I am painting a triptych- three individual paintings but shown together. The first is a 1950s woman holding a plate of jello that was a norm in ladies home magazines in the 50s, the second is a prairie presenting woman holding a loaf of bread showing it off in a performative way for Insta and the third a riff on Nara Smith - showing the racial crossover of trad wives. The premise is the idea that all three are essentially advertising hyperfemininity - back in the day via magazines and movies, today through IG/tik tok
Thanks for the mention Adeline! Back in Trump’s first term, the idea that Vogue or major CEOs would openly embrace him felt unthinkable. His brand was synonymous with chaos, and mainstream culture kept him at arm’s length. The speed of this shift is frightening….
I was thinking about this too Monia… especially in light of how large fashion and beauty houses have always been complicit with fascism when it was powerful. Hugo Boss designed the Nazi uniforms or produced them I remember reading somewhere…
This also goes for art and culture!! There are accounts on Twitter that seem to promote art but it’s actually just a promotion of western classical art and religion while simultaneously speaking down and finding flaws in modernism (very similar to Hitler’s campaign against “degenerate art”) I would love to chat more with you about this :)
Yeh, 💯. I’m 71, fought in the 60s & 70’s, my sister & I are so incredibly sad. It’s worse now bc it’s a backlash to the realization that achieving equality & equity are hard
I appreciate you! Also interestingly enough you’re the second person in the comments also in their 70s. I so appreciate you speaking from your lived experience. We need to listen to and value your experience even more because you LIVED through what happened before women had actual political rights and know that tradwifism is simply a fascist fantasy
Discussion of hyperfeminine fashion brought to mind the Lolita fashion, especially "Sweet Lolita" fashion in Japan, which I have read about in years past. Lolita fashion is, of course, an entirely different level than you are talking about here. While Lolita fashion is certainly an aspirational social-cultural statement - just as punk, goth are in the West - I have never before wondered if Lolita fashion in Japan is any sort of political statement. I doubt that it is but it is an interesting question of Japanese culture as to what is being "sold" with Lolita fashion in Japan.
I liked the term “soft selling authoritarianism”
Why aren’t we soft selling democratic socialism?
GIRL. I had the same question when I was researching this piece. As someone who has always talked about beauty as political in marketing her skincare line, this substack taught me that I’ve gone about it *all wrong*. It should have been glass skin first, then sneaking in caring about other people in community next.
🤣
Simple. Becuase “demoncratic socialism” destroys economies. This party can’t even define what a women is still, and is fighting about transgender mice studies from the department of eduction being defunded. There’s nothing romantically “soft” about relying on the government.
Transgender mice 😂 holy hell are you an idiot.
Finally someone said it. What happened to resilience and mindful work, pride and silent hard work. Why does every single fart need validation? What happened to strong independence?
I believe that’s what Meghan Sussex does but they hate her for it.
Do you mean Princess Meghan? I haven't heard slip the political very hard into her lifestyle content, unless I'm mistaken
She is not directly political no, but you can tell what is important to her by her choices. It’s soft but conscious. And yes Princess Meghan Sussex!
Loved your piece here, hard to hear but necessary.
Thank you, much appreciated.
Just look at an average leftist and you'll get your answer.
I love to bake bread and I found motherhood extremely fulfilling but fuck the fascists!!!!
Damn straight, it’s reprehensible how the new fascist right has claimed these things as theirs alone
That's exactly right! These things do NOT belong to them.
Women can do all the baking, birthing, breastfeeding, gardening, sewing etc. because these things are worthwhile and enjoyable to them and still be feminists. We can wear dresses and long hair just because it's our personal preference, too. We have to keep saying this.
ugh, this makes me sick. BUT.....THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS! This is important.
Thank you. Honestly it makes me sick too… but we need to hear it!
RE: that EVIE cover- pretty sure that bitch tripped me leaving the bathroom my senior year.
As one of my besties put it, that magazine is creepy AF
Bitch is a misogynistic term
Working on a painting series on this trend! Thanks for writing this.
I think the third reich ads reference - highlighted the power of messaging, even subtle ones slowly bends a group
appreciate this. thank you.
Oh wow! Tell me more about your painting series. Also just followed you, love your notes.
I am painting a triptych- three individual paintings but shown together. The first is a 1950s woman holding a plate of jello that was a norm in ladies home magazines in the 50s, the second is a prairie presenting woman holding a loaf of bread showing it off in a performative way for Insta and the third a riff on Nara Smith - showing the racial crossover of trad wives. The premise is the idea that all three are essentially advertising hyperfemininity - back in the day via magazines and movies, today through IG/tik tok
Love love love this!!’ Can’t wait to see it too
Love it. So profound and genius. Can't wait to see it.
Can I ask what especially resonated for you in my piece?
I hate it here
I feel this
Thanks for the mention Adeline! Back in Trump’s first term, the idea that Vogue or major CEOs would openly embrace him felt unthinkable. His brand was synonymous with chaos, and mainstream culture kept him at arm’s length. The speed of this shift is frightening….
I was thinking about this too Monia… especially in light of how large fashion and beauty houses have always been complicit with fascism when it was powerful. Hugo Boss designed the Nazi uniforms or produced them I remember reading somewhere…
Puts me right off getting my highlights done.
This also goes for art and culture!! There are accounts on Twitter that seem to promote art but it’s actually just a promotion of western classical art and religion while simultaneously speaking down and finding flaws in modernism (very similar to Hitler’s campaign against “degenerate art”) I would love to chat more with you about this :)
as someone in beauty, i had never heard of this but thank you for sharing!
Thank you for reading!
They can’t say “feminism made women miserable”. I’m happiest being myself, no pretending/not trending, no facade, not following …
My Life = Feminism = Personal Autonomy
Girl, I'm right there with you. But this is, after all, right wing propaganda to serve fascist fantasies... they aren't known to speak truth
Yeh, 💯. I’m 71, fought in the 60s & 70’s, my sister & I are so incredibly sad. It’s worse now bc it’s a backlash to the realization that achieving equality & equity are hard
Glad you’re out there fighting the good fight ❤️
I appreciate you! Also interestingly enough you’re the second person in the comments also in their 70s. I so appreciate you speaking from your lived experience. We need to listen to and value your experience even more because you LIVED through what happened before women had actual political rights and know that tradwifism is simply a fascist fantasy
“fascist fantasy” 🤮
🤗
Discussion of hyperfeminine fashion brought to mind the Lolita fashion, especially "Sweet Lolita" fashion in Japan, which I have read about in years past. Lolita fashion is, of course, an entirely different level than you are talking about here. While Lolita fashion is certainly an aspirational social-cultural statement - just as punk, goth are in the West - I have never before wondered if Lolita fashion in Japan is any sort of political statement. I doubt that it is but it is an interesting question of Japanese culture as to what is being "sold" with Lolita fashion in Japan.
🤮
I see sadness in her eyes in the first picture 🥺
Very insightful and frightening
1. The woman in the photograph looks like a child. What that says about conservative values is repugnant.
2. Thank you for the Naomi Fry quote. It is what I am thinking, but I'm not socially permitted to say anywhere but Substack.