Last
week I saw an intriguing story on the news reporting topless women staging a
feminist protest at a Paris fashion show. Two models stormed the stage, each
with the slogans “fashion dictaterror” and “model don’t go to brothel” painted
in black across their bare chests. They were immediately escorted off the
stage, and thanks to the professionalism of the models, the show went on
without another hitch. This experience reminded me of a similar one that I
witnessed myself this past winter in Paris when topless protestors stormed the
Notre Dame cathedral rejoicing over the Pope’s resignation.
This
particular group, known as Femen, regard themselves as strong feminist activists
who defend women’s rights. Their topless-ness is, in the group’s own words,
redefining the meaning of the female nude. “By stripping, women expose their
vulnerability but also their naked bodies as weapons. Its grand aim is to give
new meaning to the nude female, as a political tool instead of as a sex object.”
However, comparing this incident to our class discussions, I find this form of
protest extremely regressive. While the symbolism of a strong female is clear,
topless (not to mention attractive and blonde) women are not mocking male
voyeurism, but promoting it. The male gaze is evident even in just the comments
section of the online video. The discussion focuses on how the security guard
got to “cop a feel” while escorting the women off stage, rather than discussing
the degrading nature of the fashion industry – the very thing that the
protestors were protesting against. Additionally, the protestors themselves
were more provocatively dressed than the models, once again diminishing their
argument. Ultimately, I think that going topless gets these feminist activists
more news coverage and, therefore, more ample opportunity to promote their
cause. Unfortunately, this radical form of protest is in direct opposition to
the female rights that they are trying to address.
Here’s the video of the fashion show protest if anyone’s
interested:
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