Picturing the Woman-Child: Fashion, Feminism and the Female Gaze

The book "Picturing the Woman-Child" explores why childlike femininity in Western fashion media continues to appeal to contemporary women, despite three or four waves of feminism. It analyzes the evolution of this figure in British fashion magazines from 1990-2015 and presents original research into audience reception. The book is scholarly and accessible, paving the way for future studies on how readers make sense of fashion imagery.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 26 January 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Feminists have long critiqued the childlike character of ideal femininity, dating back to figures like Mary Wollstonecraft and Simone de Beauvoir. However, despite the historical connotations of inferiority associated with this portrayal, women continue to be represented as childlike in the Western fashion media. This book seeks to explore why these images still hold appeal to contemporary women, particularly in the context of three or even four waves of feminism.

Focusing on the period of 1990 to 2015, Picturing the Woman-Child delves into the evolution of childlike femininity in British fashion magazines such as Vogue, i-D, and Lula, Girl of my Dreams. These images draw upon a rich network of references, ranging from Kinderwhore and Lolita to Alice in Wonderland and the femme-enfant of Surrealism. Alongside an analysis of fashion photography, the book presents the findings of original research into audience reception. By inviting contemporary women to comment on images of the "woman-child," the book provides valuable insights into the meaning of this figure as well as an evaluation of theories on the "female gaze."

Written in a scholarly yet accessible style, the book serves as a valuable resource for future studies on how readers make sense of fashion imagery. It contributes to the ongoing discussion about the representation of women in the media and the societal implications of these portrayals.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350214385