Advertisement is a very dominant subject, it can sculpt cultures and civilisations and has a large part to play in society. Through its influence and particularly fashion media, as this affects everyone as everyone is a consumer of fashion – to deliberately have such power and use it for inappropriate visual communication and personal benefit is vile…but unfortunately sex sells.

I have chosen to address the inappropriate ‘taste’ of an advertisement by Duncan Quinn, which features a woman in her lingerie spread on top of the bonnet of a car. I feel the photograph is strongly degrading towards women, especially considering the content but also the difference in dress between the male and female actors.

This irritation is led by the composition and superiority of the male actor, though such a simple change he is altered by the media to be perceived as a rich man and gives a concealed sense of superiority to all men. The chemistry between the two doesn’t flow and instead this is changed by the appearance of a tie around the woman’s neck which being held by the man. Immediately there is this change to the image that instead of the actress freely exposing herself, she is introduced to the audience as a sex slave. A mere dog on a leash, being subject to her masters desires. The expression the male actor is showing has a sense of pride, the appearance that he has caught- she is his trophy. This materialising of a woman, not as though she is human and an equal but as though the world is his competitor and she is who they are after.

One noticeable quote I found by GQ magazine was the comparison they made between Jimmy Saville and Duncan Quinn; GQ magazine aimed at a male audience and within it they described Quinn as: ‘Saville row meets rock ‘n’ roll  –  Duncan Quinn is the maker of unique ties and accessories that will always get you a second look’.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find out when the quote by GQ was written, however the sexual tension is noticed and highlighted by the magazine, despite this magazine being aimed at a male audience even their comparison is something to notice. Could they be shocked at his advertisement and change?

We as a generation have been numbed to this way of thinking, there is almost a normality about the nudity that can be seen in advertisement which is worrying. Both to the identity of the models/actors but also to that of the audience; the damage that has been left is quite scarring; it questions people’s acceptance into society and fears which are almost uncontrollable. Especially with females as they are viewed as ‘essentially silly …the idea that it is every woman’s chief preoccupation to arouse male desire’. – Wilson>.E (1985) ‘ADORNED IN DREAMS, FASHION AND MODERNITY’, I.B Tauris & Co. Ltd London, New York.    P92.

The use of this genre of media has left people to have eating disorders, self-harm along with other factors and I am hurt to know this truth continues.

Wilson.E (1985) ‘ADORNED IN DREAMS, FASHION AND MODERNITY’, I.B Tauris; Co. Ltd London, New York.    P92.

Dr L. Holombe. (23rd November 2017)‘TASK 9 and 10- Ethics Images: Duncan Quinn’, Lecture Theatre A, WSA, Winchester School of Art

GQ Magazine quote (n.a) ‘Duncan Quinn’  http://duncanquinn.com/  (27th November 2017)