Can you see through my heels (II)

Obsession, facade, superficiality
What is superficial and what is not? Or real or not? Graying and blurring lines we see.

       

This struggle to understand the words in implied meaning is perpetrated in what we observe in people on a day to day basis. The constant search of an identity; or rather, to assume an already existing identity. Heels as a cultural object of study are crucial as it accommodates the masses and it is used as a distinguishing tool to promote one’s individuality or deepening one’s identity (I am a woman, I am” womanly” enough). In today’s technologically-dependent culture, the media and culture industry constantly overwhelms us with images such as those of countless models in advertising posters, reality television show “America’s Next Top Model” , film of “Sex and the City” and the main cinema poster of “Devil wears Prada”. All of which manifests traits that society subconsciously or consciously adopt to their beliefs. The visually appealing object which exists in the aforementioned list is heels. Fitting into certain types of heels or heels of particular heights helps women mimic the identity they would like to fall into.  To a certain extent, it is true that these images, films and programmes reflect society’s belief and stereotype since, it is indefinite that profit oriented producers would only choose to produce material which manifests the ideas that they believe people would buy.

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In this picture above, it shows Model Kelly Brooks in the killer stilettos. This advertisement is undeniably visually attractive and provokes the idea of heels enhancing a woman’s sex appeal as well as confidence (as seen in her posture, and her words). This is just one out of the innumerable images inundating our society today. For some, this confidence obtained when one slips into the high killer heels, masks the innate insecurities that stem from an unobtainable benchmark of perfection proliferating from the culture industry. To add on, this image has contrasting ideas along with the intended dissonance. On the bottom right hand corner, in pink caption, it says “heels that heal” when in truth, heels are challenging as footwear as it the centre of gravity is increased causing less stability and they do induce pain. Earlier in Ching Siong’s blog post, there was a slideshow of various heels and in particularly, an image of Lady Gaga tripping on the heels she wore. Hence, this conflicting idea of heels that heal versus the truth that heels that hurt actually propels an intended notion suggestive of the naivety of women. Also, this lack of sagacity perhaps, as part of the intention of this advertisement, ties along to the notion of dependence on men as seen through the caption, “Luckily, my boyfriend, a rugby player, Danny Cipriani, buys me amazing heels.” Superficiality seems constructed as exclaimed in the caption again that “They make my legs look sooo long!” The sense of exaggeration draws parallel to the idea of obsession. What truly alarms me is that, these negative concepts are construed around a true fact; the fact that heels indeed “lengthens” the reflected image of one’s leg. This makes it easy for society to believe and fall for the constructed hyperreal idea that women are constantly trying so hard to find an identity. When in actual fact, for most, heels are mere aesthetic-enhancing tool to complete the image of being a woman.

The idea of power From the punch line of the above advertisement “Killer heels by NMA” is directly connotative of the power of heels. Particularly it seems to be targeted at the male gender as seen in centralized position of the man who is stabbed right through by the heel. This image certainly propels a sense of anger, rage and violence that is perpetrated by the all-powerful-killer heels. Linking back to the indefinitely noticeable trend of rising women power in the world, heels create a physical appearance, brings out a “natural” posture of confidence and therefore, empowering women today. Is wearing heels therefore being superficial? Or is it just a tool to bring out the true identity of women today? Of how women today, are no longer submissive, powerless and obedient?

More on "Killer heels by NMA " and its critiques
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Posted by: Chney Chen Xiaowei