Search

This article concerns how the normative matter of body hair is playfully encountered within a theatre practice for teenage girls. By working with Deleuzian-inspired theories, playfulness is understood as embodied doings, interwoven with the local context. The article explores how playfulness is enacted in relation to the everyday, in particular body hair removal. The analysis shows how playfulness is an ambiguous feature enacted together with bodies, affects and materialities. Moreover, playfulness became both a restricting and a transformative force reproducing the already known while also opening up a critical approach of playing with the violent aspects of hair removal.

The portrayal of women in commercials is intertwined with patriarchal structures and power hierarchies found in Western contemporary society, which stem from the Judeo-Christian binary of a ‘clean/messy’ body as introduced by St. Augustine (354 – 430 CE). This portrayal of women and its effect on their self-esteem, as well as consumerism, have considerable implications for the gender dynamics in modern Western societies. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to explore the interdependent relationship between feminine hygiene product commercials, feminist movements and women’s self-esteem.The goal of this thesis is twofold. First, a multimodal discourse analysis of four advertisements from Always and Venus will be performed to uncover to what extent feminine hygiene product commercials are adjusting their portrayal of the female body according to feminist movements. Secondly, four qualitative semi-structured interviews will be conducted to examine how the portrayal of women in these commercials affect women’s self-esteem. This thesis’ research draws from feminist theories, Representation Theory, Consumer Culture Theory (CCT), and the Hierarchy of Effects Theory (HET).The findings of the analysis imply that the companies have made some adjustments in the way they are portraying women in accordance with the feminist movements. However, both the analysis of the commercials and the interviews imply that more improvements are necessary. The thesis comes to the conclusion that feminine hygiene product commercials can affect the self-esteem of women by creating (unrealistic) norms about how a female body should look and function., B

The portrayal of women in commercials is intertwined with patriarchal structures and power hierarchies found in Western contemporary society, which stem from the Judeo-Christian binary of a ‘clean/messy’ body as introduced by St. Augustine (354 – 430 CE). This portrayal of women and its effect on their self-esteem, as well as consumerism, have considerable implications for the gender dynamics in modern Western societies. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to explore the interdependent relationship between feminine hygiene product commercials, feminist movements and women’s self-esteem.The goal of this thesis is twofold. First, a multimodal discourse analysis of four advertisements from Always and Venus will be performed to uncover to what extent feminine hygiene product commercials are adjusting their portrayal of the female body according to feminist movements. Secondly, four qualitative semi-structured interviews will be conducted to examine how the portrayal of women in these commercials affect women’s self-esteem. This thesis’ research draws from feminist theories, Representation Theory, Consumer Culture Theory (CCT), and the Hierarchy of Effects Theory (HET).The findings of the analysis imply that the companies have made some adjustments in the way they are portraying women in accordance with the feminist movements. However, both the analysis of the commercials and the interviews imply that more improvements are necessary. The thesis comes to the conclusion that feminine hygiene product commercials can affect the self-esteem of women by creating (unrealistic) norms about how a female body should look and function., B

Följande studie syftar till att kvalitativt undersöka reklamfilmer av varumärket Gillette Venus, genom en multimodal kritisk diskursanalys. Det valda materialet analyseras på två nivåer: denotation och konnotation. Syftet med studien är att diskursivt analysera hur kvinnors kroppsbehåring konstrueras diskursivt, samt om diskurserna har utvecklats med tiden. Avsikten med studien är att bidra med kunskap om hur kvinnors kroppsbehåring konstrueras i reklamfilmer och att belysa den bakomliggande ideologin bakom skildringen. Studien kommer att undersöka fyra reklamfilmer av Gillette Venus: "Gillette Venus Disposable Razor" (2005), "Venus Embrace" (2010), "#UseYourAnd" (2015) och "My Skin. My Way. Stories: Ofey” (2021). För att uppnå syftet med studien, använder analysen sig av det teoretiska ramverket av genusperformativitet, könsnormer och genus i reklam. Resultaten av studien visar att sättet som Gillette Venus konstruerar kvinnors kroppsbehåring har förändrats delvis till följd av förändringen från tredje vågen av feminism till fjärde vågen av feminism i början av 2010-talet. Utöver detta drar studien slutsatsen att Gillette Venus fortsätter att skildra en traditionell syn på kvinnors kroppshår, genom att de inte visar det eller nämner det i sina respektive reklamfilmer. Den skildrade kontextualiseringen av varför kvinnor bör raka sig förändras dock. Därför är den primära slutsatsen av studien att kvinnors kroppshår fortsätter att porträtteras i Gillette Venus reklamfilmer som något kvinnor måste bli av med, även om resonemanget varför förändras med tiden., The following study aims to qualitatively examine commercials by the brand Gillette Venus, through a multimodal critical discourse analysis. The chosen material is analysed on two levels: denotation and connotation. The purpose of the study is to discursively analyse how women's body hair is discursively constructed and if the discourses have evolved over time. The intention of the study is to contribute with knowledge regarding how women’s body hair is portrayed in commercials and highlight the underlying ideology behind the portrayal. The study will examine four commercials by Gillette Venus: “Gillette Venus Disposable Razor” (2005), “Venus Embrace” (2010), “#UseYourAnd” (2015) and “My Skin. My Way. Stories: Ofey” (2021). In order to achieve the purpose of the study, the analysis uses the theoretical framework of gender performativity, gender norms and gender in advertising. The results of the study show that the way in which Gillette Venus constructs women's body hair has changed partly, as a result of the change from third wave feminism to the fourth wave of feminism in the early 2010s. Furthermore, the study also concludes that Gillette Venus continues to portray a traditional view on women's body hair, in that they do not show it nor mention it in their respective commercials. However, the portrayed contextualisation as to why women should shave does change. Thus, the prominent conclusion of the study is that women’s body hair continues to be portrayed in Gillette Venus commercials as something women must get rid of, although the reasoning behind it does change with time.

Följande studie syftar till att kvalitativt undersöka reklamfilmer av varumärket Gillette Venus, genom en multimodal kritisk diskursanalys. Det valda materialet analyseras på två nivåer: denotation och konnotation. Syftet med studien är att diskursivt analysera hur kvinnors kroppsbehåring konstrueras diskursivt, samt om diskurserna har utvecklats med tiden. Avsikten med studien är att bidra med kunskap om hur kvinnors kroppsbehåring konstrueras i reklamfilmer och att belysa den bakomliggande ideologin bakom skildringen. Studien kommer att undersöka fyra reklamfilmer av Gillette Venus: "Gillette Venus Disposable Razor" (2005), "Venus Embrace" (2010), "#UseYourAnd" (2015) och "My Skin. My Way. Stories: Ofey” (2021). För att uppnå syftet med studien, använder analysen sig av det teoretiska ramverket av genusperformativitet, könsnormer och genus i reklam. Resultaten av studien visar att sättet som Gillette Venus konstruerar kvinnors kroppsbehåring har förändrats delvis till följd av förändringen från tredje vågen av feminism till fjärde vågen av feminism i början av 2010-talet. Utöver detta drar studien slutsatsen att Gillette Venus fortsätter att skildra en traditionell syn på kvinnors kroppshår, genom att de inte visar det eller nämner det i sina respektive reklamfilmer. Den skildrade kontextualiseringen av varför kvinnor bör raka sig förändras dock. Därför är den primära slutsatsen av studien att kvinnors kroppshår fortsätter att porträtteras i Gillette Venus reklamfilmer som något kvinnor måste bli av med, även om resonemanget varför förändras med tiden., The following study aims to qualitatively examine commercials by the brand Gillette Venus, through a multimodal critical discourse analysis. The chosen material is analysed on two levels: denotation and connotation. The purpose of the study is to discursively analyse how women's body hair is discursively constructed and if the discourses have evolved over time. The intention of the study is to contribute with knowledge regarding how women’s body hair is portrayed in commercials and highlight the underlying ideology behind the portrayal. The study will examine four commercials by Gillette Venus: “Gillette Venus Disposable Razor” (2005), “Venus Embrace” (2010), “#UseYourAnd” (2015) and “My Skin. My Way. Stories: Ofey” (2021). In order to achieve the purpose of the study, the analysis uses the theoretical framework of gender performativity, gender norms and gender in advertising. The results of the study show that the way in which Gillette Venus constructs women's body hair has changed partly, as a result of the change from third wave feminism to the fourth wave of feminism in the early 2010s. Furthermore, the study also concludes that Gillette Venus continues to portray a traditional view on women's body hair, in that they do not show it nor mention it in their respective commercials. However, the portrayed contextualisation as to why women should shave does change. Thus, the prominent conclusion of the study is that women’s body hair continues to be portrayed in Gillette Venus commercials as something women must get rid of, although the reasoning behind it does change with time.

Visual aesthetics play a vital role in today’s Western society. We built up a society where physical appearance represents high values in our everyday life. Not only the way we consume things and engage with the internet have a connection to how we see and place ourselves in society but the way the system works and treats us. Under the word “system” I refer to the intertwined connection of patriarchy and capitalism. With this project, I explore this connection as well as how the system influences social norms, body aesthetics and acceptance. More specifically, I take shaving and myself as an example and examine the question of “Why do women shave?”. The representation of women in our current society shapes our idea and opinion on shaving therefore I work with questions such as: How are social norms created and how do they influence us? What are the ways to challenge and break these norms, if it is possible at all? How can our capacity for developing autonomy remain while being influenced by the system? My practice investigates these questions comprehensively and addresses the importance of discussions and the understanding of the roots of our behavior as well as how we as individuals contribute to the influence of society and the system.

Uppsatsen All makt åt Estrid, vår befriare - En kvalitativ textanalys av Estrids varumärkesidentitet undersöker företaget Estrids marknadsföring. Analysen har genomförts med hjälp av en kvalitativ textanalys, med fokus på semiotik och retorik. De marknadsföringskanaler vi valt att titta närmare på är Estrids officiella hemsida samt Instagram-konto. Studien ämnar att undersöka företagets varumärkesidentitet, detta utifrån marknadsföring av Estrids huvudsakliga produkt samt se hur denna förhåller sig till företagets värderingar och vision samt feminina normer. Vårt empiriska material består av två texter från företagets Om oss sida samt sex stycken inlägg från deras Instagram-konto, för att analysera materialet använder vi oss bland annat av semiotiska verktyg samt retorik- och argumentationsanalys. För att uppfylla syftet har vi utgått från en huvudsaklig frågeställning; Vad har Estrid för varumärkesidentitet och på vilket sätt presenteras den i företagets marknadsföring? Vårt teoretiska ramverk består bland annat av varumärkesteori, konsumentens användning av varumärken för att uttrycka sin identitet samt genusteori och stereotyper. Att använda sig av politiskt betonade frågor i sin marknadsföring ser vi hos ett flertal företag. Estrid pratar om kvinnor och deras rätt till sin egen kropp. Men hur fungerar det när de problem man säger att man vill lösa också är anledningen till att företaget existerar och går med vinst? Vi kan se hur Estrid säger emot sig själva i en och samma text, samt se hur lätt det är för företag att använda sig av fina ord utan att gå djupare in i vad det innebär i praktiken. När företaget har en chans att lyfta och diskutera en viss problematik menar man istället att det inte längre finns något problem tack vare företagets existens. Vad blir resultatet av detta? Det vi i vår uppsats kommit fram till sammanfattas relativt bra i en kommentar på Estrids facebooksida; “[...] Bara vi är överens om att om alla var tillfreds med sina great pair of, The essay All power to Estrid, our liberator - A qualitative text analysis of Estrid´s brand identity examines Estrids marketing. The analysis has been carried out by a qualitative text analysis where we focus on semiotics and rhetoric. The marketing channels that we have chosen to take a closer look at are Estrid´s official website and Instagram account. The study intends to examine the company's brand identity, based on Estrid´s marketing of their main product and observe how this portrays the company's vision and values as well as feminine norms. The empirical material consists of two texts from Estrid´s About us page and six posts from their Instagram account. To analyze the material we have, among other things, used semiotic tools as well as rhetoric and argumentation analysis. In order to fulfill the essay's purpose it is based on the following question; What is Estrid brand identity and in what way is it presented in the company's marketing? Our theoretical framework includes brand theory, the consumers use of brands to express their identity as well as gender theory and stereotypes. We can see how a number of companies use politically emphasized issues in their marketing. Estrid for an example talks about women and their right to their own body. But how does it work when the problem you want to solve is the reason why the company can exist as well as make a profit out of it. We can see how Estrid talks against itself in one and the same text as well as how easy it is for companies to use pretty words without going deeper into what it means in practice. The company has a chance to raise awareness and discuss a certain issue, but instead they mean that there is no longer a problem thanks to the company's existence. What will this result in? What we have come to in our essay is summarized relatively well by a comment on Estrid’s Facebook page; “[...] Only if we agree that if everyone was happy with their great pair of hairy legs, bushy toes or fluffy armpits

The purpose of this study is to examine, based on a qualitative semiotic image analysis, how feminist aspects are used by companies for commercial purposes. The starting point for the study is a critical feminist perspective with a theoretical background in the complex discussions about postfeminism, commodified feminism, femwashing and femvertising. Of which an in-depth study of postfeminist discussions of individualism, girl power and empowerment. The study will examine the razor blade company Estrid's two campaigns: Shave and misbehave (2019) and Save. Shave. Whatever (2020). The aim of the study is that in a tripartite analysis consisting of; body hair, shaving and the environment show how today's neoliberal society often uses political and social issues for a capitalist and commercial purpose. Based on the campaigns, analyze how Estrid portrays women, body hair and feminism in relation to their products. The result that emerged from the analysis showed that Estrid strives to break stereotypes and express feminist values within its brand strategy. This is because it repeatedly shows normalization around body hair. The conclusion also showed that as a brand, it is difficult to produce a genuine brand strategy, with feminsit values. Estrid's focus on feminist statements in their campaigns is influenced by postfeminist discussions, with messages such as individualism and empowerment, where new expectations of women are created instead of focusing on criticizing gender structural inequalities.

Uppsatsen All makt åt Estrid, vår befriare - En kvalitativ textanalys av Estrids varumärkesidentitet undersöker företaget Estrids marknadsföring. Analysen har genomförts med hjälp av en kvalitativ textanalys, med fokus på semiotik och retorik. De marknadsföringskanaler vi valt att titta närmare på är Estrids officiella hemsida samt Instagram-konto. Studien ämnar att undersöka företagets varumärkesidentitet, detta utifrån marknadsföring av Estrids huvudsakliga produkt samt se hur denna förhåller sig till företagets värderingar och vision samt feminina normer. Vårt empiriska material består av två texter från företagets Om oss sida samt sex stycken inlägg från deras Instagram-konto, för att analysera materialet använder vi oss bland annat av semiotiska verktyg samt retorik- och argumentationsanalys. För att uppfylla syftet har vi utgått från en huvudsaklig frågeställning; Vad har Estrid för varumärkesidentitet och på vilket sätt presenteras den i företagets marknadsföring? Vårt teoretiska ramverk består bland annat av varumärkesteori, konsumentens användning av varumärken för att uttrycka sin identitet samt genusteori och stereotyper. Att använda sig av politiskt betonade frågor i sin marknadsföring ser vi hos ett flertal företag. Estrid pratar om kvinnor och deras rätt till sin egen kropp. Men hur fungerar det när de problem man säger att man vill lösa också är anledningen till att företaget existerar och går med vinst? Vi kan se hur Estrid säger emot sig själva i en och samma text, samt se hur lätt det är för företag att använda sig av fina ord utan att gå djupare in i vad det innebär i praktiken. När företaget har en chans att lyfta och diskutera en viss problematik menar man istället att det inte längre finns något problem tack vare företagets existens. Vad blir resultatet av detta? Det vi i vår uppsats kommit fram till sammanfattas relativt bra i en kommentar på Estrids facebooksida; “[...] Bara vi är överens om att om alla var tillfreds med sina great pair of, The essay All power to Estrid, our liberator - A qualitative text analysis of Estrid´s brand identity examines Estrids marketing. The analysis has been carried out by a qualitative text analysis where we focus on semiotics and rhetoric. The marketing channels that we have chosen to take a closer look at are Estrid´s official website and Instagram account. The study intends to examine the company's brand identity, based on Estrid´s marketing of their main product and observe how this portrays the company's vision and values as well as feminine norms. The empirical material consists of two texts from Estrid´s About us page and six posts from their Instagram account. To analyze the material we have, among other things, used semiotic tools as well as rhetoric and argumentation analysis. In order to fulfill the essay's purpose it is based on the following question; What is Estrid brand identity and in what way is it presented in the company's marketing? Our theoretical framework includes brand theory, the consumers use of brands to express their identity as well as gender theory and stereotypes. We can see how a number of companies use politically emphasized issues in their marketing. Estrid for an example talks about women and their right to their own body. But how does it work when the problem you want to solve is the reason why the company can exist as well as make a profit out of it. We can see how Estrid talks against itself in one and the same text as well as how easy it is for companies to use pretty words without going deeper into what it means in practice. The company has a chance to raise awareness and discuss a certain issue, but instead they mean that there is no longer a problem thanks to the company's existence. What will this result in? What we have come to in our essay is summarized relatively well by a comment on Estrid’s Facebook page; “[...] Only if we agree that if everyone was happy with their great pair of hairy legs, bushy toes or fluffy armpits

Visual aesthetics play a vital role in today’s Western society. We built up a society where physical appearance represents high values in our everyday life. Not only the way we consume things and engage with the internet have a connection to how we see and place ourselves in society but the way the system works and treats us. Under the word “system” I refer to the intertwined connection of patriarchy and capitalism. With this project, I explore this connection as well as how the system influences social norms, body aesthetics and acceptance. More specifically, I take shaving and myself as an example and examine the question of “Why do women shave?”. The representation of women in our current society shapes our idea and opinion on shaving therefore I work with questions such as: How are social norms created and how do they influence us? What are the ways to challenge and break these norms, if it is possible at all? How can our capacity for developing autonomy remain while being influenced by the system? My practice investigates these questions comprehensively and addresses the importance of discussions and the understanding of the roots of our behavior as well as how we as individuals contribute to the influence of society and the system.

The purpose of this study is to examine, based on a qualitative semiotic image analysis, how feminist aspects are used by companies for commercial purposes. The starting point for the study is a critical feminist perspective with a theoretical background in the complex discussions about postfeminism, commodified feminism, femwashing and femvertising. Of which an in-depth study of postfeminist discussions of individualism, girl power and empowerment. The study will examine the razor blade company Estrid's two campaigns: Shave and misbehave (2019) and Save. Shave. Whatever (2020). The aim of the study is that in a tripartite analysis consisting of; body hair, shaving and the environment show how today's neoliberal society often uses political and social issues for a capitalist and commercial purpose. Based on the campaigns, analyze how Estrid portrays women, body hair and feminism in relation to their products. The result that emerged from the analysis showed that Estrid strives to break stereotypes and express feminist values within its brand strategy. This is because it repeatedly shows normalization around body hair. The conclusion also showed that as a brand, it is difficult to produce a genuine brand strategy, with feminsit values. Estrid's focus on feminist statements in their campaigns is influenced by postfeminist discussions, with messages such as individualism and empowerment, where new expectations of women are created instead of focusing on criticizing gender structural inequalities.

I analyzed the hairy experience of seven women participating or linked to MaYHAIR initiative, through the ex/in-corporation framework (Zeiler, 2013). MaYHAIR is a movement inviting to question the double standards on body hair by challenging people to keep their body hair for the whole month of May. Although previous studies mainly focus on hairlessness and body hair removal, I concentrate in this study case on the - feminine – experience of body hair and the excorporation feeling that realization of the hairless norm may create. I address the acceptance of one’s body hair leading to the acceptance of one’s body; the politization associated with hairiness; the importance of intersectional concern leading to challenging choice rhetoric; as well as the necessity for support and diversity of representations.

I analyzed the hairy experience of seven women participating or linked to MaYHAIR initiative, through the ex/in-corporation framework (Zeiler, 2013). MaYHAIR is a movement inviting to question the double standards on body hair by challenging people to keep their body hair for the whole month of May. Although previous studies mainly focus on hairlessness and body hair removal, I concentrate in this study case on the - feminine – experience of body hair and the excorporation feeling that realization of the hairless norm may create. I address the acceptance of one’s body hair leading to the acceptance of one’s body; the politization associated with hairiness; the importance of intersectional concern leading to challenging choice rhetoric; as well as the necessity for support and diversity of representations.

This study explores what female body activists aim to achieve by initiating and carrying out their movements on social media platforms. It also explores how female body activists make use of social media in their favor to challenge normative ideals of femininity and resist stigmatization of female body fat and hair. The exploration of the issues of stigmatization of female body fat and hair in this study relies on Michel Foucault’s theory on disciplinary power and disciplinary practices as well as Erving Goffman’s theory on stigmatization. This study claims that stigmatization can be considered as a disciplinary practice to control and regulate female bodies. Through construction of gender norms of femininity and norms of acceptable bodies in the society, body hair and fat on female bodies are stigmatized when they are visible attributes. This stigmatization acts as a control mechanism of bodies and forces bodies to comply with the norms. In this study, related to the idea of disciplined and stigmatized female bodies, female body activists are investigated in the context of deviant and rebellious bodies which aim to challenge norms of femininity and resist stigmatization by posting their selfies on social media platforms, to expose real life depictions of different types of female bodies, to create body positivity and acceptance.

This study explores what female body activists aim to achieve by initiating and carrying out their movements on social media platforms. It also explores how female body activists make use of social media in their favor to challenge normative ideals of femininity and resist stigmatization of female body fat and hair. The exploration of the issues of stigmatization of female body fat and hair in this study relies on Michel Foucault’s theory on disciplinary power and disciplinary practices as well as Erving Goffman’s theory on stigmatization. This study claims that stigmatization can be considered as a disciplinary practice to control and regulate female bodies. Through construction of gender norms of femininity and norms of acceptable bodies in the society, body hair and fat on female bodies are stigmatized when they are visible attributes. This stigmatization acts as a control mechanism of bodies and forces bodies to comply with the norms. In this study, related to the idea of disciplined and stigmatized female bodies, female body activists are investigated in the context of deviant and rebellious bodies which aim to challenge norms of femininity and resist stigmatization by posting their selfies on social media platforms, to expose real life depictions of different types of female bodies, to create body positivity and acceptance.

The presence of male facial and body hair is not a fad that has simply come to forefront of men’s grooming standards in a few short years. Dating back to the beginnings of America hair has been cut,shaved, and plucked off the bodies of men. Hair has had the ability to connote power and presence, or poverty and homelessness. No matter the social, political, or economic status of the male, his identity can (and has) been expressed through hair. In “Hair: An Analysis of Masculine Aesthetics”, I examine the history of the performance of masculinity and the grooming standards that have grown to father the traditions of male beauty throughout several socio-economic eras of Westerners, specifically in the United States; as poverty levels rise and fall, so do fads and social trends with body hair. While showing ever-changing development of hair I propose a few questions to men of the twenty-first century: what purpose does hair serve for men today? What defines the line of transgressive hair? What does today’s understanding of hair look like compared to its history? Through the use of contemporary men’s magazines like GQ which publish body grooming tips and tricks, historical analysis of the physical aesthetics of former leaders in American society, and media that dictate male grooming standards, I construct a contemporary portrait of hair by creating faux beards that will be photographed on men as an iconically ironic blend of masculinity. These portraits will be artistic interpretations of hair throughout its history.