There's apparently this group of mostly British male models who are collectively known as the Homme boys. Josh Beech, Ash Stymest and Luke Worall to name just a few. Truly beautiful young things covered in tattoos, complete with an 'I don't give a fuck' attitude. And the high-end designers LOVE them.
I am not disputing the fact they are beautiful. Or that they do their job very well, selling an image that makes you instantly want to own a part of. Or at least, I do.
What I do find funny is that these designers sell clothes worth thousands of dollars to the world's richest people, yet they are using these boys to sell these clothes. It seems like their tattoos are more in focus in any picture they take than any clothes they happen to be wearing... or not wearing for that matter. And it's not like their tattoos are that fantastic either. They have appeal, undeniably, but it's certainly not great art or anything. So you have commonplace tattoos selling hugely expensive clothes.
I just think the whole situation highlights what's really going on underneath the glossy surface. Clothes don't mean shit. People want to buy youth and freedom, and think that these brands by association will buy them that. It's such a paradox, giving the finger to high society whilst selling this image straight back to it.
Anyway, just my thoughts. I am not trying to put these guys down at all. Far from it, I think they are awesome. I guess what I am trying to get at is that I actually really like this situation. It highlights the absurdity of fashion when even the most desirable brands in the world promote what these guys have. Which, by sheer definition, is impossible to attain through material means.
It's interesting how tattoos have gone from the fringes to the mainstream in just a few decades. I admire people who are so decisive that they feel they can permanently decorate their bodies with designs that they feel they'll forever be please with. Of course, I have no such decoration (nor does my spouse), and am still on the fence about it for myself.
ReplyDeleteThat said, I think you're right on the proverbial money with the idea that desingers sell, and people want to buy, youth and beauty. The "bad boy" image is projected here by young, almost pre-adolescent men (of dubious sexual orientation, naturally), and seems to be aimed at not just boys who wear girls' jeans (guess I don't have to worry about any of these guys impregnating my kids!), but those women of a certain age who may find themselves attracted to boys young enough to be their sons (or younger).
Pretty scary, and a sad comment on society. Cougars are hot these days. I love looking at these boys, true, as much as the next dirty old lady; but I know that's what they are, and I have no real desire for them OR the overpriced gear they sell.
But they are lovely to look at, tis true.
Yeah, even a few years ago, it was quite rare to see full sleeves. Now it seems like they are everywhere. I have one tattoo myself and am always thinking of getting more, but I also have a hard time with the commitment factor. The idea of being so reckless appeals to me, but at the end of the day, I know I have to seriously weigh up anything so permanent. Saying that, I have absolutely no regrets with the tattoo I have and can see myself getting more in the future. I don't think I will ever be 'covered' in them like what seems to be the trend now though.
ReplyDeleteYou make an interesting point about the cougar women. I didn't really look at it from the perspective, but it is so true! These boys would definitely be young enough to be their own son's age, so it's somewhat strange that this is the image that sells right now.
As for myself, I definitely see the appeal and admit to crushing after these guys in terms of beauty, but as for an actual real-life attraction, I need my guys a bit older with life experience and something more to offer than just a pretty face. :)
What both Michele and you have said brought to mind an interview I read with Jade Puget from AFI, stating why he stopping getting tattoos. I can't remember it word for word but basically it stated that to him tattoos were a freedom and a way for him to revolt against the social norms and also society as a whole. When he started seeing everyone around him and just people everywhere covering themselves in meaningless ink, he stopped. It lost the appeal and meaning to him when others treated it more as a fashion accessory rather than it being a reflection of something that they absolutely believe in.
ReplyDeleteThis has always stayed with me, and seeing these boys kind of reinforced what Jade has said for me. I love the irony of how something that used to be deemed so below high society is now used to sell them almost anything.
Will we ever learn that nothing can be bought in this world?
While I agree they are rather cute, I find the arrogance that I seem to see from them more of trait I can't stand.
And this ends my rant :)
Thanks for the comments. :) I agree somewhat with Jade's stance in that I fully believe tattoos should have some form of meaning, not be just a trendy fashion accessory and it's disheartening to see them become just that in a lot of cases. However, I don't see this as a good enough reason to stop getting them if you want one. It shouldn't change what they represent to you.
ReplyDeleteMaybe to a much lesser extent than now, but I am sure there has always been certain people getting them just because they look cool or they are trying to fit in, so it doesn't really make much sense to me to say that because everyone has them now, mine can't have meaning.
Also, for the most part, I think you can still quite easily tell who is being a fashion dick or a hipster wannabe and I know I've said it before, but yeah, I'll judge you for it too.
Saying that though, your comments remind me of when Henry Rollins was on Rove and they were doing a skit at the end of the show and he sarcastically said something along the lines of, "I love it when I spend my whole life getting hardcore tattoos, only to have 16 year old girls everywhere copy them onto their ankles".
When Rollins is dissing you, you know you're doing it wrong.
That quote by Rollins is spot on.
ReplyDeleteI think to Jade it was more how he viewed it as something rebellous and for it to become so... maintstream he felt that he lost the reason for getting them for himself in the first place.
That said, he has gotten many more since, but I do understand why he had that perception.
I think more people need to think before they ink these days. :p