MY EDITED VERSION OF PERFUME AD

My change of the perfume line’s name to “UNFORGIVABLE TEMPTRESS” centers around the fact in which the woman warrants punishment as a supposed temptress in the eyes of men and others who would defend the sexual advances and assault of women based on perceived invitations through qualities or appearances women possess. The tagline “[y]ou asked for it” specifically addresses the male perspective and the male gaze, especially when it comes to unwanted advances. Sean John, the creator of this perfume line, is specifically selling his fragrance for women through an obviously flawed male understanding of how women are valued and judged worthy as a person solely through their sex appeal. Additionally, he views this irresistible quality of sex appeal and justification for sexual advances and punishment as a wanted result for using this product, where women should want to be punished. By combining these two elements with my final edited message text to “let male pleasure define your worth”, I have clarified the underlying, implied message of the original ad. The male gaze and the objectification of women as objects of desire and women being sold a highly sexualized view of their worth in society as simply existing and valued through the amount of male pleasure they can accumulate and garner to define their worth through their bodies are all issues incorporated into the seemingly innocuous perfume advertisement, which dresses these messages to women in an insidiously neat, attractive package of benefits through this luxury item. Lastly, my use of a bleaker, blurred background color is giving the impression of the unwanted advance and uncomfortable truth of this particular situation, far beyond the rosy, warm color of the original. In contrast to the warmth of the original background color of the ad which implies intimacy and comfort, the bleaker background color of my edited version evokes discomfort and a harsher quality to the viewing experience, communicating the appropriate harsh reality of such encounters.

 

 

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