Idea: fashion blogger meets Occupy Wall Street protester

Like my friend Rachel I’m somewhat fascinated by “it girls”. I feel that it’s a seduction one should fight - but other times I’m not quite certain why I should. Yes, they are famous for being famous (or photogenic). But I think so long as the attraction remains superficial, rather than being elevated to ‘role model’ status, there’s no harm. To love the sight of a beautiful woman is to simply love life, right?

(BTW I think you can see the male equivalent in the film Crazy, Sexy, Love where Ryan Gosling plays a rather old-school playboy. His charisma is skin-deep. It’s all about how he carries himself and his style, rather than the substance of his character or content of his words.)

I also wonder what are, exactly, the ingredients of creating an “it girl” and whether they would be so difficult to adopt.

I have been similarly fascinated by the “Asian feminine ideal” - modest, humble, sweet and gentle - attributes I don’t really have. (My fake Chinese uncle recently contrasted me from my sister, her being ‘feminine’, me being ‘lively’.)

I am thinking of playing with these two feminine ideals, but inserting some social messaging in them. (For example, replicating a classic pap shot while wearing an air pollution mask, or with a caption “on my way to a gay marriage rally”.) It wouldn’t really be subversive, more exploiting the language of beauty and celebrity to carry out a campaign.

Basically it’d be activism for non-activists. Think fashion blogger meets Occupy Wall Street protester.

But I’m hesitant. Maybe it’s a lame idea. Need your thoughts.