Dress for success

A short piece that explored the role of the WAG and how it inspires so many young girls in contemporary society. The film was then followed by a panel discussion that featured Fashion-Editor-at-large at Grazia magazine Melanie Rickey, and author of celebrity hit ‘Hollywood Catwalk’ Tamar Jeffers McDonald.

What started off as a chat about how the WAG and overall celebrity image affects our behaviour, it soon turned into a full-blown debate of how celebrities use fashion as a vital ingredient to advertise themselves as a profitable brand. Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez, The Olsen twins all have their names associated with successful labels. I mean even Lindsay Lohan put her name to Ungaro. OK it was car crash fashion at its finest hour, but can anyone argue that it didn’t launch her into the fashion circle, and get her herds of publicity – however bad?

You also have to think of the Victoria Beckham line and how its success has given even more global domination to Brand Beckham. I may draw the line though at Katie Price and her equestrian range, as we really need a pro to make the jockey image a fashionable one. But, as witnessed first hand at a summer polo match, people will still buy her products just because it has the Katie Price name on it.

So, the essential question of the night: why are we so interested in celebrities? Managing to pin down Melanie Rickey she suggested that people try to live the lives they see in magazines. They see someone famous and glamorous and perceive it as success and happiness. Consumers get an idea into their head that they can be the celebrity in the magazine.

Don’t we all then often find ourselves more interested in the Michelle Heatons rather than the Michelle Pfeiffers in this world? Why? Maybe its because this dream is more achievable. Maybe if we too also entered a talent contest, got drunk and fell out of clubs, lost weight and married a footballer, we could get that perfect life of money, stability and lots of clothes, shoes and handbags. After all, judging by the content in the film last night, isn’t this what every girl wants?

 

By Emma Westbrook