Dear British GQ Editors,
We should just be grateful that any woman at all was allowed into the acclaimed “British GQ … of the Year” list, right?
I have to say that I was a bit surprised that the hot little number picked to represent ALL OF WOMANKIND on the cover of 20% of “The 15th Annual Men of the Year Awards Special Issue” magazine covers is the very naked, Lana Del Rey. It’s hard to argue that she’s not hot damn sexy and deserving of some kind of recognition for said sexiness in a men’s magazine. While I’m not arguing her or the men’s worthiness to be selected among your “… of the Year” accolades, I would like to have seen some kind of equality when it came to how you presented them to the world on the covers of your magazine.
FOR CRIMINY’S SAKE, could you maybe not make an exhibition out of her hot little body on the cover of one out of the five you’re selling for the ”British GQ … of the Year”? Ms. Del Rey would have looked just as sexy in a formal ball gown that complemented the snazzy tuxedos the four men donned for the other covers. I bet she cleans up well in a beautiful Marchesa dress or maybe a sultry number from Stella McCartney.
Or maybe next year we can see all 5 of your chosen “… of the Years” sultry and naked on the covers? The women and gays who see your covers on the shelves would appreciate seeing a flash of skin. Might I suggest Robbie Williams de-clothed, standing against a white wall, covering his bits and pieces with a generously-sized fig leaf? Or Tinie Tempah in nothing but a pair of hipster glasses and a sock?
I know you’re a men’s magazine that caters to the men of the world (or at least Britain and the surrounding areas). I just ask that a little modicum of respect is paid to the woman whom is anointed to carry the weight of the world on her bare shoulders as the “British GQ Woman of the Year.”
She deserves at least as much respect as is paid to the men.
True gentlemen don’t exploit their women.
Respectfully,
Lady of the Year
Angie Lynch is the founder and managing editor of the powerhouse women’s literary community, Smut Book Club. She is a Native Floridian without a tan, probably because she spends her days hard at work on the magical internet. For the past several years, Angie has worked way too hard at building clout as an influencer in food and margaritas as well as being a source for laughable pop culture commentary. You can read more from Angie on her blog, A Whole Lot of Nothing.
images via British GQ
Is it just me, or does she look scared? Why is it that fear is sexy?
While I totally get what you are saying, no one forced her to do the photo shoot. I don’t know that I would use the word “exploit” here, as it makes her sound like a victim.
While gentlemen don’t exploit their women, real women know not to allow themselves to be exploited. She knew exactly what kind of publicity this would garner for herself and I am sure it made those who were once unaware of her, suddenly VERY aware.
We are very quick to blame men for victimizing us all the time…and in many situations, that would probably be true. I just don’t feel that this is one of them. She’s not a child, she’s a grown woman…and she had the choice to say she would not do this photo shoot dressed (or undressed as it may be), in that fashion. It’s not fair to blame the magazine for her choices.
She likely knew well in advance of the shoot that this was the theme…and she opted to do it regardless. NOT exploitation in my book.
That said, a naked Robbie Williams? I can totally get behind that.
it is a mens magazine..she choose to be naked they didnt hold a gun to her head…and hey guess what theres a war going on in afghanistan
What does the war in Afghanistan have to do with the price of tea in China? I think I get what you are trying to convey, that there are many things going on in the world that are far more important than whether or not a woman appears on the cover of a magazine naked or clothed. True, but you are missing the point of the piece. The point is that we live in a society where we continually objectify women. Basically removing their humanity and making them an object of pleasure and little else. It is also true that there are many women who willingly objectify themselves (adult film “actors”, strippers, and other sex workers). The question we should be focusing on is why? Why do we as women feel that our worth is only tied up in our sexuality? This isn’t healthy and can lead many women down the path of mistreatment by men and even abuse. Yes, she willingly agreed to pose naked, but we need to realize that she was asked by the magazine to pose naked. GQ did not request this of their “Men of the Year”. We continue to teach our daughters that their worth is tied into their sexuality (have you seen thongs for 8-year-olds? – truly disturbing). So, it is no surprise that a young woman intent on establishing her career would agree to do this. She got the attention she was after – but what does this say to women and young girls – or to the men out there who read this magazine?
It seems the gentlemen were chosen on the basis of their achievements in some field of endeavor. It seems Ms. Del Rey was chosen on the basis of her appearance. At least we know what we’re valued for, and I can tell my daughter that too. What a lovely life lesson: Do what you love and get REALLY good at it — it won’t matter unless you’re deemed attractive too.
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