These two things — traditional beauty brands capitalizing on women's sports, while gender-marginalized athletes come under systematic attack — cannot be separated.
What a fantastic piece. My anger over folks claiming to care about the "integrity of women and girls sports" has predictably been higher this past week. These people are the same ones who belittle the WNBA and its fans, who attack girls for being passionate about sports, and who so easily overlook or excuse abuse by coaches/trainers/staff. It's so transparent how little they truly care about women and girls sports and have only latched onto this issue to attack trans people, which makes the world a worse place for everyone.
"Femininity is not the enemy, but when it is used as a cudgel to deny a group of people their rights and humanity, it becomes a weapon." – This is a fucking killer closing line (to a really brilliant piece).
Thank you! I’m definitely interested in your perspective as an athlete and someone in marketing, and it’s good to know people are actively thinking about this!
Ever since you wrote about the Skims campaign and Woxer I’ve been more aware of brand choices made by leagues in the women’s sports space. Sephora def made me raise my unpenciled eyebrow.
Do you think if the “beauty” brand sponsor was a co like MAC - something edgier where at least I think there is more artistry involved it could be more appealing? Rather than traditional feminine makeup more body art, etc?
Honestly, I don’t even mind the Sephora sponsorship! They sell so many products that aren’t makeup or beauty-related per se, like skin care and hair care stuff. I think my issue is the framing of “glam room,” which plays up the hyperfeminine aspect of it all.
What a fantastic piece. My anger over folks claiming to care about the "integrity of women and girls sports" has predictably been higher this past week. These people are the same ones who belittle the WNBA and its fans, who attack girls for being passionate about sports, and who so easily overlook or excuse abuse by coaches/trainers/staff. It's so transparent how little they truly care about women and girls sports and have only latched onto this issue to attack trans people, which makes the world a worse place for everyone.
Yes yes yes 1000x yes
"Femininity is not the enemy, but when it is used as a cudgel to deny a group of people their rights and humanity, it becomes a weapon." – This is a fucking killer closing line (to a really brilliant piece).
loved this!!
OMG Frankie yes yes yes !!! THIS.
Thank you for this! It's been something I have been grappling with and seeing the history laid out helps put it all in context.
Thank you! I’m definitely interested in your perspective as an athlete and someone in marketing, and it’s good to know people are actively thinking about this!
Ever since you wrote about the Skims campaign and Woxer I’ve been more aware of brand choices made by leagues in the women’s sports space. Sephora def made me raise my unpenciled eyebrow.
Do you think if the “beauty” brand sponsor was a co like MAC - something edgier where at least I think there is more artistry involved it could be more appealing? Rather than traditional feminine makeup more body art, etc?
Honestly, I don’t even mind the Sephora sponsorship! They sell so many products that aren’t makeup or beauty-related per se, like skin care and hair care stuff. I think my issue is the framing of “glam room,” which plays up the hyperfeminine aspect of it all.