Very Important People: Status and Beauty in the Global Party Circuit

Ashley Mears, a sociologist, and former fashion model, explores the elite global party circuit of models and bottles in her book "Very Important People." She reveals how beautiful young women are used to boost the status of men, with million-dollar birthday parties, megayachts, and $40,000 bottles of champagne. Mears spent eighteen months in this world to write a captivating narrative that exposes the intricate economy of beauty, status, and money.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2021
Publisher: Princeton University Press

In today's New Gilded Age, the world's moneyed classes have pushed the boundaries of conspicuous consumption to unprecedented heights. Sociologist, author, and former fashion model Ashley Mears takes readers on a captivating journey into the exclusive global nightclub and party circuit, exploring the intricate economy of beauty, status, and money that underpins these spectacular displays of wealth and leisure.

Mears dedicated eighteen months to immerse herself in this world of models and bottles, meticulously crafting a narrative that is at once captivating, humorous, and poignant. Through her eyes, we witness how clubs and restaurants employ promoters to recruit beautiful young women, offering them free drinks and the opportunity to party with affluent men in exchange for their physical capital. These women, often referred to as "bottle girls," play a crucial role in enhancing the status of their male companions, while also enriching club owners through the lucrative bottle service industry.

However, it is important to note that these women are viewed as mere short-term relationship prospects, with their bodies constantly being assessed against the wealth of their male counterparts. Their worth is measured solely in terms of their physical attributes, and they are often subjected to objectification and scrutiny. The party circuit, in essence, perpetuates extreme gender inequality, where the power and privilege are concentrated in the hands of men.

Mears' book, Very Important People, serves as a powerful indictment of the societal norms and expectations that perpetuate this inequality. It sheds light on the troubling realities behind moneyed leisure in an age of record economic disparity, challenging us to question the values and priorities that drive our society. Through her insightful analysis and compelling storytelling, Mears provides a glimpse into the lives of these women who are caught in the web of glamour and wealth, revealing the sacrifices they make and the hardships they endure in pursuit of a fleeting sense of fame and success.

In conclusion, Very Important People is a thought-provoking and eye-opening exploration of the complex relationship between beauty, status, and money in the world of high society. Through Ashley Mears' compelling narrative, we gain a deeper understanding of the gender inequalities that exist in this realm and the sacrifices that women are willing to make in order to achieve success and recognition. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in social commentary, fashion, and the intersection of power and privilege.

Weight: 312g
Dimension: 135 x 203 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691227054