Sexy Sells: Too Much Or Not Enough?

Everyone has heard the words “sex sells,” but when does that line get crossed in the name of art? The August Elle brings this burning question to mind. The issue features the lovely, and extremely attractive, forces that are Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. But were the clothes, and poses, borderline too sexy?

The answer really is quite simple in my opinion, no. This is not too sexy for a couple of reasons. First, this editorial was a refreshing breath from the stiff and cold Sarah Jessica Parker Vogue shoot. This was real, and the chemistry between Timberlake and Kunis is unmatched. Second, I believe that this is the epitome of Kunis. She has grown into an international sex symbol. Kunis is not Jackie Burkhart from “That 70’s Show” anymore. She is, for a lack of a better word, hot. These pictures just go along with the Kunis we all see and love now. Third, the artistic development of the pictures is simply breathtaking. They tell a story. Each photo creates a scene, an aspect of life, for the consumer to see.

There is the flip side though. There are provocative poses, and clothes that leave little to the imagination. You can almost feel the sex oozing from the pages. But, in a world full of sex is this just normal now?

So, the point is, were these pictures too sexy, or still not enough?

You tell us.

Text Dalton Brasington

A Fashion Reality TV Show That Won't Have You Cringing

Fashion and reality television rarely equal magic; well, reality television plus anything rarely equal magic. But when cable network Sundance Channel and Elle Creative Director Joe Zee join forces, we have good reasons to expect something different.

We've caught a glimpse of Joe Zee's zany personality on MTV's The City. But surely his new project will prove to be more entertaining than the thinly disguised boredom of socialites as they pretend to toil in a fashion magazine (although it didn't really set the bar too high). The premise of the show, titled All On The Line, revolves around the creative director and his efforts to help talented designers in succeeding in their businesses. Many fashion reality TV shows have gone and failed, with the CW responsible for about half of them, but Joe Zee's cred in the fashion industry makes this one promising. And as Rachel Zoe has showed us, with the right amount of crazy and some authenticity, fashion on TV can be pretty darn addicting.

Text Kristina Bravo
Image courtesy of FashionIndie

French Elle goes Supersize

The French edition of Elle magazine has caused uproar in France- and just about everywhere else- by featuring a size 56 (US size 18) model, Tara Lynn, on its cover. For a country famed for its emphasis on cutting a svelte figure, this has been deemed a controversial move (though the magazine has admitted to digitally retouching the images- is that not missing the point of dedicating an issue to 'real women'?). It's been headline-grabbing stuff over here in the UK, following on from the furore caused by Mark Fast's decision to use curvier models in his catwalk show for London Fashion Week last year. It seems that while we're tiring of emaciated teenage models parading around in designer gear, we're not sure what to make of larger ladies doing the same either.

So, what do you think? Is there a place for plus-size women in the fashion industry? Is it progress, or is it a publicity stunt to attract more readers- and morever, do these readers want to see it? How would you react if US Elle did the same? And how would you feel if a magazine like Chaos used models the wrong side of a size four?

Here's what The Times has to say

Kay Weston