Dear Myer
Today I had cause to visit your Chadstone
store. I was on a mission to buy a new bra – a much-loathed but necessary task
that I undertake as infrequently as possible. My mission was ultimately
thwarted by the absence of any human person prepared to render assistance. I'd forgotten about your No Service Policy. Silly me. But that is a complaint for another day...
This complaint is something else
entirely, and one I wasn’t even sure I should make until I took
a quick poll of my friends. When all
responded with an “OMG So Wrong!’ (or saltier words to that effect) I knew this was
something worth getting a bit het up about.
You see, the essence of my complaint concerns a display at the entrance of women's fashions. Predictably for the season it features an attractive spring racing
vignette complete with several ladies (and a single gent) in their feathered finery . It's all very nice and festive - until you notice (and how could you not?)
that two of your ladies are positioned in the most errrr… inelegant way.
I give you Exhibit A:
Now I think you'd agree that portraying a woman with her legs spread apart and skirt hitched to the knee is suggestive of a number of things – none of which are particularly synonymous with style. You may even go so far as to agree that it is a little bit vulgar, a little bit offensive, and even a little bit sexist. Strong words I know, but you are MYER after all and you should know better.
Look I know what you're thinking. And it crossed my mind too. This is supposed to be ironic! Because, let’s face it, this is the sort of pose we see inebriated racegoers striking all over Melbourne on Derby Day evening. But to add authenticity you should have at least thrown in a few broken heels, a mangled hat and a bloke taking a slash in the background.
But seriously. This sort of imagery does nothing to advance the interests of your female clientele, or women in general for that matter. In the spirit of the current times I have decided to call out sexism when I see it. And I see it here.
Thanks for your attention.
