Semiotic Analysis Of Women

2. Semiotic Analysis of the chosen image

We see a woman in a long-sleeved dress with a floral print and black lace sleeves. Underneath she’s wearing a red undergarment that has a plastic feel to it. She carries a little, black handbag that also seems kind of plastic-like. She wears a little hat with a voilette. She wears a big bracelet and walks in plastic, leopard print medium height heels. It’s a street view and the woman seems to be rushing or looking for something or someone. She looks sexy, but not in a way to attract man. She may come across a little dangerous. It’s a very distinguished look, not something an everyday woman would wear.

The photoshoot is based on the 40’s, this is clear in looking at the silhouette and it’s also mentioned

In the second wave, a few decades earlier, media imagery showed more female working professionals as an ideal compared to the housewife figure. In 1970, more women received bachelor and master degrees, but even then the numbers didn’t rise above the level of received diploma’s during the second World War. During the war, while men had to go to the front, it was a woman’s task to go out to work. Women became more independent as they were now the main breadwinners and supporters of the family.. In the 70’s, the “Modern Woman” was put forward even more prominently than during the war, although women had more problems in the workplace with indignities such as sexual harassment. It’s interesting to see how women’s position didn’t change that much in over 30

In the 40’s, being a working woman, was a positive thing and keeping the right to work after the war was over, was something worth fitting for. The women thought of themselves as powerful personalities, but also embraced their femininity. Even though the clothing became more comfortable, more focused on being work-wear, (rather than being beautiful or fashionable), makeup, on the other hand, became very important. In 1941, the production of lipstick was considered a wartime necessity. They kept on being women. In the second wave, this image of feminism changed. Being a feminist was looked at by society as being a bitter, grumpy and “ugly” woman, who didn’t take care of her appearance. In the third wave, this changed again. The early nineties were the run-up to a new kind of feminism, originated in early 2000, called ‘lipstick feminism’. It were younger women rather than older ones who started this new image of what it meant to be a feminist. They liked to associate feminism with claiming sexual power and being a woman who is thrilling, sexy and