As I said in class I am thinking about using Victoria's Secret as my public space and I actually went this weekend to check it out again. I find this space appealing mainly because I find the store unlike any other store. It promotes sexuality to all ages in many different ways. I also find the Victoria's Secret Company as a whole a very interesting one. Their magazine is seen by the majority of Americans, along with phenomenal runway shows which can now be seen 24/7 on VS TV. I also choose it because if you have ever been in there and watch the people shop around in there it can be very interesting, especially when someone brings there husband/boyfriend in there. Men's reactions to all the bras and panties everywhere is priceless!
I hope that I can find all sorts of people walking in, especially since Valentine's day is just around the corner. I think it is so interesting that VS puts their P!NK line at the front of the store. VS P!NK line is a line of lingerie directed towards teenage girls including things like sweatshirts and sweatpants to cute underwear and bras. Another thing I find interesting is VS is a company that says they are looking for a "fuller" model but I don't know about you but I still think they are pretty little! VS carries a workout clothing line as well and I find it very interesting that it is placed next to the dressing room. It's almost like its saying "Hey, didn't like what you saw in the mirror well here we carry everything you need to get in shape, including cute clothing."
I am part of the target audience, I'm a female that loves to have girly things and all that can be found in VS. I think VS tries to get as many people in as possible as well. When I went this past weekend I noticed that they are now promoting a Vintage Victoria targeted to the older women with more coverage and not as BRIGHT PINK anymore.
I think I have just stated many of my pre-conceived ideas and hope that many of them will either stay or be changed just by spending time there. I had an education class last year that I had to write observation papers for every week and I really learned to not pre-judge and to really write what I was seeing. I look forward to working on this project...but if you feel other wise let me know!
This is a funny topic that you bring up. I have never really ventured into Victoria's Secret but I can only imagine some of the funny things that you are going to see. Your comment about seeing women come in there with their boyfriends/husbands cracked me up. It's pretty funny to look at that comment from my point of view being a guy and realizing what woman think about us when they see us in a store that Victoria's Secret. Good posting, I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteAshley-
ReplyDeleteWhile I have never personally been to Victoria's Secret I find it to be a very interesting topic. I think that you are going to have an easier time than most finding basic arguments, but I think that there are some stronger arguments that are made. I wish you the best of luck writing you paper.
P.s. I you discover the "secret" let me know
Tripp
This sounds like a really good topic. And like you said, it's even better because it's right before Valentine's day and you should get a large range of people shopping in the store. I think it's always interesting to see the range of people that shop there when they have their semi-annual sales. I agree with you on the guy thing too; it's always interesting to see if they hover over their girl's shoulder or if they wander around. Good luck on your paper!
ReplyDeleteashley,
ReplyDeleteI think that using VS as a topic is such a great idea. You are totally right when you talked abut the large assortment of people that walk through those doors. I myself have had numerous awkard experiences in that store throughout my life haha. As you do your research, im sure you will have priceless observations to record in that paper! goodluck!
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteOk, I have got to add my voice to the others. As soon as I read which store you were doing as a 'public space' I was giddy with excitement. That store is a cornucopia of arguments just waiting to be revealed and already I can tell that you're the woman to talk about all of them. You weren't afraid about talking about the supposedly "fuller" model still being rather small and the workout clothes right by the dressing rooms! Great blogging and good luck with your topic!
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteYou've chosen an excellent space. And your beginning analysis of the people and, especially, the lay out is compelling. I very much like your attention to the product placements and your willingness to go out on an analytical limb, drawing conclusions about why the workout clothes are by the fitting rooms. In your future observations, I'd urge you to think about VS's target audience in terms of race, class, and especially sexuality. We like to talk about men squirming in VS, but we generally relegate that assumption to heterosexual men. How does that change the dynamics of the space? Just some things to think about. AI