Plastic surgery: Fake and authentic of women.

Case study: Leng Yein (since I choose this fashion model as my case study for my essay.)

Here are some feedback(sources from yahoo answer) on how people see plastic surgery.

 Support
"to be pretty"
"lack of confident"
"dont like what they got"

Againts
"would upset family and friends"
"looks worst than before"
"making yourself a fake"
"God's original creation"

Fake

From this interview, we know that she did her nose for 3 times and boobs implant.
What is the "FAKE" we could find from her?
-physical (nose, boobs)
-the appearance in magazine
-entertainment industry attitude (example:vulgar, "wild")

Authentic

The "REAL" from her.

-her personality during her private life

-her self/character

Research & References:
Whatsupbrian.com. (2013) Fake Boobs- When is too big, too big? What if Men had enhancement to equal proportions? [Image online] Available at:http://whatsupbrian.com/fakeboobswhenistoobigtoo-big/ [Accessed at: 5 August 2013]

LengYein. (2011) 

Leng Yein Plastic Surgery - 16 Newspapers and more than 50 Medias Misleading people. [online] Available at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RRs0Vis_X4 [Accessed at:5 August 2013]

SPHRazorTV. (2013) Her boob job (Leng Yein Pt 2). [online] Available at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8jKA-WKRE0 [Accessed at:5 August 2013]

Imaps and Essay Structure

Essay structure:

1.0  Introduction

1.1  Thesis: How plastic surgery represented beauty and feminism?

1.2  Beauty 

1.3  Feminism.

2.0  Beauty aesthetic and Role of Malaysia women.

2.1  In the past

2.2  Today

3.0 Plastic surgery

3.1 When and how it started as a trend?

3.2 Support and againts

3.3 Korea Tv Show: Let Me In.

4.0  Fashion-Social Celebrities Facebook Fan Page as  Fashion Based Media.

4.1  Case study 1: Leng Yein

4.1  Case study 2: Kinki Ryusaki

4.3  Case study 3: Xia Xue

4.4  Case study 4: QiuQiu (Bongqiuqiu)

4.5 How are plastic surgery influences them?

5.0  How are local women influenced by fashion-social celebrities.

5.1  Media

6.0 How women are influenced to be "plastified"?

6.1 Trend

6.2 Convenient ways

7.0  How plastic surgery affects women in Malaysia?

7.1  The role

7.2  The lifestyle

7.3  Surgical risk 

8.0  Conclusion

The Gaze.

Case study: LengYein (A famous model for many men's periodical magazine such as FHM, W&HM (Wheel and Heel magazine), Hypertune, etc.

FHM Magazine

Hypertune Magazine

As you can see that, she was obviously presented in a very sexy appearance and very seductive posture for men and car magazines. Her first impression for the public audience is SEXY, "HOT", and maybe COOL?.  She gives me a feeling that she has the power that lead her followers/supporters to fully support her and to "die" for . So, is her role inside those men's magazine is to become some kind of sexual obsession for the audience? or Is she playing the role as a playmate? What is her real identity in the reality? 

After I had done my analysis on photo albums in her Facebook page, I found that her model private life is like an intersection between her jobs and daily life activities. Most of the albums are related to modeling, magazine cover shoot, travel, events, and self-shoot. She travels a lot, but most of the time is to accomplish her photo shooting job overseas. Although it is not a photo shooting for the job, it is just like a random photo, she will automatically posed her figure that what she will normally do for her job. Besides that, the way that she dress up is slightly represented it is related to her job as a model. Super low cut design singlet, bikini, super short pants, corset, mini dress, etc is what she wear for photo shooting.  I believe that, she was already get used to this kind of fashion and she applied on her everyday apparel.

In addition, her plastic surgery features has become a gaze for the audience (it is as same as the photoshop that usually used by photographer to touch up models' photos before published )

Photo album: 3 Months Holiday Getaways

Photo album: Philippines Vacation with Brother Nelson

Photo album: Philippines Vacation with Brother Nelson

Research & References:

Pickofpenang. (2012) FHM Magazine: Congrats Leng Yein !!! [Images online] Available at:http://pickofpenang.blogspot.com/2012/09/fhm-magazine-congrats-leng-yein.html [Accesed at: 2 August 2013]

LengYein. (n.d.) 3 Months Holiday Getaways. [Images online] Available at:https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151636645359341.1073741856.74485364340&type=3 [Accessed at: 2 August 2013]

LengYein. (n.d.) Philippines Vacation with Brother Nelson. [Images online] Available at:https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151792868169341&set=a.10151787998344341.1073741884.74485364340&type=3&theater [Accessed at:2 August 2013]

Consultation with lecturer (Part 2).

I had another consultation with lecturer Daniel to check whether I'm on the right track for my essay question.

Here are some answer from him.

1)How women are represented?

 For example: 

 Guy can be represented as brave, muscular, power, strong, work hard for the family, independent,....etc.

Women are represented as feminine, pretty, gentle, nuture, caring,....etc.

2)Which kind of fashion-based media?

Might be one Fashion Models Facebook page. (analyse the album inside)

Analyse the comment and likes. (especially for the album that model shows about her plastic surgery)

Discussion point:

-Body figure is exaggerated.

-Why she does plastic surgery? Is it for guys? for herself? for her job?

-How women are presented?(in entertainment magazine)

Sexy in men magazine....etc.

Fake in physical? Boobs- entertainment industry- vulgar

High end fashion (has no affect the chest)

Industry/market attitude- the prize

Examples: Women can be as a "prize" for a racing competition. Take photos - prize giving (women might think they have some kind of power to let guys to fight for them)

-How women are presented in reality? 

Authentic? Self-character

Her fashion picture  and her personal life picture is close to each other. (Her work is an intersection?)

(Their pose, dress up, attitude)

Is they are really an attention seeker in personal life which is same with the one inside magazine pictures?

-Differences between Malaysia Top Models and Entertainment world.

Asian celebrities/models/bloggers who did plastic surgery.

This blog is about 4 famous people as role model of plastic surgery in Malaysia and Singapore.

LengYein,  Malaysia famous people which community involvement in different kinds of careers such as model, actress, host, pianist, dancer, tattoo artist, beautician, makeup artist, manicurist and also businesswoman. She owns her boutique, fashion accessories shop, nail&beauty salon, tattoo parlour, magazine and also a mamak which is named as Taj Corner Restaurant. She has almost 284k followers in her Facebook fan page. Places that she did her surgery is at her nose, lips, chin and eyes. 

Kinki Ryusaki, Malaysia famous female tattoo artist which owns her tattoo studio in Kuala Lumpur, Sungei Wang Plaza. She had been tattooing since she was 16 years old. She treated and believed the art of tattoo just like the art of life. She has mostly 588k followers in her Facebook fan page. She went Korea with Leng Yein and she had her eyelid surgery. 

(Here's another proof on Leng Yein and Kinki Ryusaki had did plastic surgery at the same time)

XiaXue, Singapore famous blogger who always post about her lifestyle, fashion, makeup and local issue. Her main blog could reach 50,000 reader daily. She is also a host  for a TV show (Guide To Life). She has 184k followers in her Facebook fan page. What she did is her nose. She often injected botox to her face to maintain her face condition. (chin, cheeks, lips)

QiuQiu, Singapore famous blogger who also a host for her TV show Budget Barbie. She usually blogs about her lifestyle, fashion stuff, makeup, travel and etc. She has 15k followers on her Facebook fan page. She did breast implant, her nose, and forehead implant. One of the episode from budget Barbie, its about the process she did her breast implant surgery. The reasons she did is because she has flat boobs and she felt that she is lack of confident when she went to the beach with her friends and she choose to wait them on the shoreside.

In my conclusion, people has their own reasons to choose to do plastic surgery . For example, the blogger Qiuqiu from Singapore, She did it just because she want to get her confidence back. There is nothing wrong with people who did plastic surgery. I understand that natural beauty is the gift from the god but sometimes people might still want to stand it out in a different ways to overcome their desire to become prettier. 

Research & References: 
LengYein. (2011) Plastic Surgery Journey in Korea. [online] Available at:https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150274330399341.352629.74485364340 [Accessed at: 31 July 2013]

Sumi.net (2013) Perfect Body Shape II. [Images online] Available at:http://sumi-connie.blogspot.com/2013_03_22_archive.html [Accessed at:31 July 2013]

Harrison.(2008) Leng Yein Jie. [online] Available at:http://www.popularasians.com/forum/f83/leng-yein-jie-35537/ [Accessed at:31 July 2013]

Kinki Ryusaki. (n.d.) Kinki Ryusaki. [online] Available at:https://www.facebook.com/KinkiRyusakiTattoo [Accessed at:31 July 2013]

Xiaxue. (n.d) Everyone's reading it. [online] Available at:http://xiaxue.blogspot.com/ [Accessed at:31 July 2013]

Bongqiuqiu. (n.d.) Qiu Qiu. [online] Available at:http://bongqiuqiu.blogspot.com/ [Accessed at:31 July 2013]

How does plastic surgery influences women?

Plastic surgery are very common among the women nowadays. From the video above, the doctor said:"good looking people have more fun, and have more looking good friends." After that there are two women talked about how plastic surgery influence their life, their opportunity to get work, mate and etc. Does plastic surgery really helps? How does plastic surgery influences women? Why women are getting plastic surgery?

Women nowadays have more opportunity to play in different types of role such as politician, actress, singer, model, host, reporter, ...etc. People that are act in these role are usually get in touch with the society such as, television, newspaper, magazine, advertisement, poster and so on. Usually these jobs required people with good looking since they are presented to to society and public. In that way, common people are gradually impressed by the good appearance of those role of women. Some of them will started to feel that they are not satisfied what as they are and plastic surgery provides them choices/effects that are efficient and lasting.

There are two types of plastics surgery which is cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery.

Based on my experience, my aunty has "botox" injection on her face and around eyes. She told me that the reason why she did this is to prevent sagging and stay young. She was recommend by her friend, who also did double eye lid surgery. I believe that she is influenced by her friend. Moreover, my cousin had her nose job(silicon injection) just because she wants to look as pretty as caucasian celebrities’ features she liked. I can conclude that media has somehow influence some people to go for it.

Research & References:
PlasticSurgery. (2013) Common procedure performed by Experience Cosmetics Surgeons. [Images online] Available at:http://www.istard.org/common-procedures-performed-by-experienced-cosmetic-surgeons/ [Accessed at:1 August 2013]

McManus. (1994) Demand for Cosmetic Surgery Rises, and With it, Abuses. [online] Available at:Dhttp://www.nytimes.com/1994/11/24/news/24iht-face.html [Accessed at: 1 August 2013]

TheStarOnline. (2013) Malaysia among popular countries for plastic surgeries.[online] Available at:http://www.thestar.com.my/story.aspx?file=%2f2013%2f5%2f7%2fasia%2f13075661&sec=asia [Accessed at:1 August 2013]

A South Korea Plastic Surgery TV Program.

This is a South Korea TV Program "Let Me In"(translated as "Let women be beautiful") which invited Korean women with an "abnormal" facial or body features to undergo surgical procedures to enhance their appearance and increase their confident to the public. Some of them had went through people's sarcastic on how their appearance look like before they applied for the TV show. 

Yang Jae-jin, the psychiatrist for the TV program said that, "It's easy to say the standards of beauty are unfair or wrong, but if you havent's been in their shoes and couldn't carry on a normal life because of your looks, you shouldn't judge."

I agreed with his statement because some of the people has their own reason to undergo this surgical procedures, its just like they have their story behind. We shouldn't judge a book by its cover. 

Research & References:

Kwaak.J.S. (2013)  Making a Case for Cosmetic Surgery. [online] Available at: http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2013/06/05/making-a-case-for-cosmetic-surgery/ [Accessed at:24 July 2013]

Cruz.J.D. (2012) The magic of plastic surgery in korea. [online] Available at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FiGEI_2wYjc [Accessed at:24 July 2013]

Regenglobal.(2012) Korea cable program Let Me In 2 - Transgender. [online] Available at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6RVqZUsdXw [Accessed at:24 July 2013]

Korea Plastic/Cosmetic Surgery

Plastic Surgery has only grown over the past 20 years and has become so popular now since like everyone is getting it. It has become a trend and it could be symbolize as "the permanent makeup".

But how does this happen? I believe that one of the reason is people could get pretty in an easier and faster ways. There is also another reason to prove that why plastic surgery is getting famous now. Based on an article that wrote by Ahmad.M, 'What K-Pop has to do with South Korea's Plastic Surgery Obsession', he said that the western beauty (caucasian) has permeated across virtually all international beauty market, through advertisement, pop star, hollywood, and movie. That's mean "western" equals to the word "beautiful". Western face feature are usually with long sharp nose, eyes with double eye lids, prominent jaws and high cheek bones.  In addition, as the technology has getting improve, the price of plastic surgery is getting cheaper, safer, better, recovery faster had increase the its popularity to the world. The rise of K-pop can also consider as another reason people will go through plastic surgery.

Girls Generation.

Before & After

The most requested face at plastic surgery offices.

Actress/Model Kim Tae-Hee

Even some part of South Korea parents encourage their children to get plastic surgery. Based on an interview article 'South Korean Parents Are Making Their Kids Get Plastic Surgery' by Standen.C, I found that some of the mother will pay for their daughter to get for a surgery. Eyes and nose job are the most common part that people will probably do and it's consider as the "basics". They do believe the prettier person will get more benefit. Even some jobs are only required for people who did plastic surgery. Everyone seems like want to get benefit by using their appearance and this is how the culture has made it to normal.

There's a case study to proof that most of the women in korea has probably had their face done. South Korea has the highest rate of people has gone through plastic surgery compare to others country. The average years is among 19 to 49 years old. According to the article, Koreans complain about picture of 20 Miss Korea 2013 finalist were posted on Reddit was a encouragement for user to go under the knife as Asian nation's growing trend. 20 beauty queens almost have the same feature such as big eyes, small face, tiny button noses, pointed chin, same hair colour, and etc. As you can see that, these 20 pageants were looking so familiar with each other.

20 Miss Korea 2013 finalist

In my conclusion, plastic surgery has become very common nowadays and women has the choice to get what they want. Not to say plastic surgery is a bad thing but is good if there is a way to make yourself more confident and attractive. Everyone can be beautiful.


Research & References:

Ahmad.M. (2013) What K-Pop Has To Do With South Korea's Plastic Surgery Obsession. [online] Available at:http://jezebel.com/what-k-pop-has-to-do-with-south-koreas-plastic-surgery-573424674 [Accessed at:30 July 2013]

Willet.M. (2013) Korea's Plastic Surgery Obsession Is A Glimpse Into The Future [Photos]. [online] Available at:http://www.businessinsider.com/korea-is-obsessed-with-plastic-surgery-2013-5?op=1 [Accessed at: 30 July 2013]

Standen,C. (2013) South Korean Parents Are Making Their Kids Get Plastic Surgery. [online] Available at:http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/south-korean-parents-are-making-their-kids-get-plastic-surgery [Accessed at:30 July 2013]

Nolan.S. (2013) Has plastic surgery made these beauty queens all look the same? Koreans complain about pageant 'clones' . [online] Available at:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2314647/Has-plastic-surgery-20-Korean-beauty-pageant-contestants-look-Pictures-contest-hopefuls-goes-viral.html [Accessed at:30 July 2013]

Femalewallpaper. (2013) Kim Tae-Hee. [Images online] Available at:http://femalewallpaper.blogspot.com/2013/04/kim-tae-hee.html [Accessed at:30 July 2013]

Olddoobybrain. (2013) Korean Plastic Surgery Before and After. [Images online] Available at:http://www.doobybrain.com/2013/01/12/korean-plastic-surgery-before-and-afters/ [Accessed at:30 July 2013]

Joonle4ever. (2012) SNSD Jenie Japanese ver. [Images online] Available at:http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/girls-generation-snsd/images/15368247/title/snsd-genie-japanese-ver-photo [Accessed at:30 July 2013]

Group Consultation with Lecturer.

• How are women represented in media. 

• Talk about the ideas using fashion based media

• In relation to fashion based media. (can be like Tv program, next top models, project runway)

• The key concept on exploring > HOW ARE WOMEN REPRESENTED?

• If Idea & Concept on Japanese culture. Would you find them in Malaysia Magazine?

• How does it reflect everyday society?

• How religion has influence how women are see?

• (not descripting on how women looks in media)

• Different fashion base magazine

• Not looking at the only ads but the whole thing.

• Institution of the media that you choosen

• "Cosmetic, clothes, accessories,..... etc"

• How Japanese media influence the local women in Malaysia.

• (Research and analyse more on the japanese fashion culture)

The Role of Women in Media.

Women in fashion magazine and ads are always appeals semi-naked, sexually appealing with high fashion trend and heavy makeup. Not only for the appearance of the women but also the way how they posed their gesture in an advertisement. Why do women portray in that way?

Sexuality has become a theme for few famous brand to grab consumer's attention. Based on article, Sexism and Sexuality in Advertising by Jacobsen.M, he said that, pornography has grown $7billion in the industry and porn has become more mainstream and common. Its message and conventions has adopted by advertisement. As you can see that, male models from both of the images above are topless and women dressed up with boobs and thigh exposed. Women are portray with SEXY appearance and attractive expression. Besides that, the way the male models' pose is seems like the significant of "sexual positions" by lie upwards the female models' body.

For  example, 0.15s, 0.29s,0.30s, and 0.32s in the video clip, these scenes can be signify as sexism and sexuality in an advertisement. Women had been portray as  hot, sexy, seductive, and feminine inside these advertisement.



Research & References

Weartrends.com. (n.d.) Calvin Klei Collection. [Image online] Available at: http://www.weartrends.com/PhotoShow.aspx?type=1&id=4619&pic= [Accessed: 20 July 2013]

Jacobsen.M.F&Mazur,L.A. (1995) Sexism and Sexuality in Advertising.[online] Available at:(http://www.uky.edu/~aubel2/eng104/paranoia/pdf/jacobsen.pdf [Accessed:20 July 2013]

Azad.S. (2012) Are Women in the Media Only Portrayed As Sex Icons? Statistics Show a Massive Gender Imbalance Across Industries. [online] Available at:http://www.policymic.com/articles/4439/are-women-in-the-media-only-portrayed-as-sex-icons-statistics-show-a-massive-gender-imbalance-across-industries [Accessed at: 20 July 2013]

Dolcegabanachannel.(2012) POUR FEMME & POUR HOMME by Dolce&Gabbana [new 45" uncut version]. [online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_UzD-NFEj0[Accessed at: 20 July 2013]

Case study- Sex and The City II.

Sometimes, fashion can become as a signify for one country. Different country has different fashion culture and aethestic standard. I used this film to study how fashion culture in a place influence other women from other country to follow the culture.

What is Sex and The City about?

This film is a 2010 romance comedy film which is the sequel to the 2008 film Sex and The City. It is about 4 different ages womens' lifestyles in New York. The main thing of this film that could not be miss out is the high fashion trend costume they wear. There are few scenes that I would like to study is how culture related to fashion. 

Short synopsis of Sex and The City II.

Carrier, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda are 4 best friends, they all are married accept Samantha, who is the oldest one among them and trying to keep her libido with hormones while dealing with menopause. She was invited by a Arab business man (devise a PR campaign for his business) to visit Abu Dhabi. She requested to bring all her best-friend together. 

New York

Abu Dhabi

As you can see that, when they visited to one of the desert in Abu Dhabi, they dressed themselves differently compare to what they usually wear in New York. I believe that there's some reasons cause them to wear in that way. 

• The culture

Women in Abu Dhabi usually wear Abaya (a long black robe) with a Sheila (a black head scarf to cover the neck and head) and some may add a Niqab to cover their face (only the eyes are expose) if some of them are very religious. Black Abaya outfit is an identity and sign that says" I am a U.A.E women." 

• The laws

Women in Abu Dhabi are not allow to wear indecent outfits. Guidelines such as shorts and skirts need to reach an appropriate length and same to swimwear as well. 

I remember the scene when they were having their breakfast beside a pool. Samantha dressed herself a maxi long dress with super low-cut design in front of her chest. The rest of the girls tried to persuade her to wear more clothes because they respect the culture in Abu Dhabi ( local women usually dressed their body with black- Arab's cultural) while the others 3 girls wore scarf, vest/cardigan to cover their shoulder and neck.

But even though there are many rules and laws for the fashion code for women in Abu Dhabi, but some of them still love to follow trendy fashion from other country. For example, this reminds me of one scene when they chased after some Arab guy because Samantha's condom accidentally fall out from her bag in the public. After that, there are 5 Arab women guide them out from the crowd. They show the girls what  they usually wear inside their Abaya("their real character"). However, they had to follow the law but what they actually love is the trend and fashion of New York city.

In my conclusion, I think that fashion has no national boundaries and everyone are free to pursue it, no matter which country they belongs to. And I believe that since UAE is a muslim state, women in this country has instructed to wear what they had ordiniert. Moreover, based on my observation, women in this country has less "power" then men, they did not play significant role in politic and religious life. In addition, I feel that why they had to wear all black is because to avoid being exposed to male-dominated society and these women can only reveal their real identity to their family and husband. 

Research & References

Sites.goole.com. (n.d.) Traditional wear in the UAE. [online] Available at:https://sites.google.com/site/exploringtheuae/presentation/culture/traditional-wear [Accessed at:28 July 2013]

Leigen.M. (2012) UAE laws you must know to stay out of trouble. [online] Available at:http://www.emirates247.com/news/emirates/uae-laws-you-must-know-to-stay-out-of-trouble-2012-02-28-1.445519 [Accessed at:28 July 2013]

Expatwoman.com.(n.d.) ExpatWoman Guide to Abu Dhabi Etiquette. [online]  Available at:http://www.expatwoman.com/abudhabi/monthly_abudhabi_faqs_ExpatWoman_Guide_to_Abu_Dhabi_Etiquette_9129.aspx [Accessed at:28 July 2013]

Festy.(2010) Sex and the city 2-the movie. [Images online] Available at:http://festyinstyle.blogspot.com/2010/04/sex-and-city-2-movie.html [Accessed at:28 July 2013]

Amber.P. (2012) My Favourite Pastime: Watching Bad Movies. [Images online] Available at:http://www.mamapop.com/2012/06/my-favorite-pastime-watching-bad-movies.html [Accessed at:28 July 2013]

Saraqaseem. (2013) Orientalism. [Images online[ Available at:http://saraqaseem.wordpress.com/2013/02/19/orientalism/ [Accessed at:28 July 2013]

Deleere.S. (2012) Why Sex and The City is possibly one of the most offensive movies ever made. [Images online] Available at:http://lafinestproche.wordpress.com/ [Accessed at:28 July 2013]

Mtholyoke.edu. (n.d.) The Veil. [online] Available at:http://www.mtholyoke.edu/~skalmutt/uae/veil.html [Accessed at 28 July 2013]

Essay Question No.3

I would probably intend to choose this question because I'm more interest in fashion, feminism, woman these kind of topic.

Here are moodboard and imaps for me to explore. It might easy for me to find inspiration and idea.

What is fashion (to me) ?

• catwalk
• popular style (clothing, footwear, accessories, makeup, body piercing, tattoo, etc)
• stylish
• dress
• mix and match
• piece of art
• fabulous women
• skinny models
• feminine and masculine
• trend
• outstanding
• expensive...
• cosmetic
• plastic surgery

Media:

• magazines 
• newspaper
• television
• fashion website
• blogs
• film
• social networks
• fashion blog
• advertisment
• poster

Research & References: 

Wwd.com. (2012) Fashion, Beauty and Retail News. [online] Available at: http://www.wwd.com/ [Accessed at: 9 July 2013]

Fashion.telegraph.co. (2010) Latest Fashion News, Style Advice, Fashion Picture,Fashion... [online] Available at: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/ [Accessed at: 9 July 2013]

Brief- Essay Question

These are 6 essay questions that I have to explore and write in Year 2. I have to choose and discuss one of it. 

1. Compare the advertisement of a local brand in different language editions and demonstrate how semiotics can reveal the differences and similarities between them.

2. Explore the ideas of modernism and postmodernism in superhero films made in the last thirty years. By textually analysing your chosen films discuss how the ideas are presented and understood by the audience.

3. Examine the role of women in local or regional fashion-based media. How are women represented? Do they relate to everyday ideas and attitudes of women?

4. Compare ad contrast a soap opera produced locally/regionally to one produced in the West (America/Europe). What values and attitudes are being portrayed? How are they being portrayed and do they reflect reality?

5. Trace the career of an icon in the industry related to your major. Analyse the significant phases, work, and personal qualities that propelled this individual to his or her acclaimed status. Did any institutions contribute to his success or failures as well?

6. Critically examine the popular usage of digital cameras, Photoshop, or Instagram, and its impact on professionals in the creative industry.

Slim= Pretty and Trend ? (Body & Fashion)

Nowadays, slim. thin. flat tummy. s-body line body has become trend that girls will die for it. Some of the girls are even NOT fat at all but they still want to find out ways to attain their ideal body shape. There are many ways such as exercise to lose weight, eat as less as you can, taking medications, etc. 

In the imperial past of China, especially Tang dynasty ( why not Han dynasty? -Tang standard of living is higher),  women are probably with fat figure because fat has become a symbol of wealthy and beauty aesthetics in that era. Skinny girls are the symbolic of the poor. This also recalling me when I visit to Forbidden City in Beijing,China, imperial women's portraits that I saw are same as I mentioned above. Fat. curvy. chubby. and with Big boobs.

Buy why? After few decades, women beauty aesthetic had totally changed? I believe that there are many aspect to change someone in different way. In my opinion, Barbie doll that we played during our childhood (every girls favourite toys). They designed to be very tall, slim, with long legs and pretty.

Another aspect which I believe is from celebrities and models that we notice and observe from all kind of media; magazine, television, drama, internet, newspaper, poster, etc. We even get in touch with these media everyday so that these powerful aura of message influence us to become one of them, and desire to look like them. I found this video from youtube I'm shocked when the designer said she is big for the dress and she has a wide hips. I have no idea where is the fats on her body? This already proof that different people has different beauty aesthetics. In this Top Model (TV program), I think they set their aesthetics higher since in people's impression, model  should be thin and flat. 

She's big for the dress? No way! 

Which types are you? Mine is 3-4? lol

Interesting ads.

Research & References: 
Cultureartsabc.com. (2012) Cultures/Arts: Why the Tang Dynasty,there will be fat is beautiful aesthetic? The future will occur again this aesthetic, and under what conditions?> [online] Available at: http://www.cultureartsabc.com/history-topic/69806/why-the-tang-dynasty-there-will-be-fat-is-beautiful-aesthetic-the-future-will-occur-again-this-aesthetic-and-under-what-conditions [Accessed at: 19 June 2013]

Pmsol3. (2007) East Asians, Skin Color and Eye Shape. [Image Online] Available at: http://pmsol3.wordpress.com/2007/09/10/east-asians-skin-color-and-eye-shape/ [Accessed at: 19 June 2013]

Cartoonhdwallpaper.com. (2012) Barbie cartoon colection barbie. [Image Online] Available at: http://www.cartoonshdwallpaper.com/us-cartoons/barbie-cartoon-colection-barbie/ [Accessed at: 19 June 2013]

US News Online. (2013) Models' Eat Tissues' to Stay 'Paris Thin', Says Ex-Insider. [Online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHSPLWbGHg4 [Accessed at: 19 June 2013]

Ikat381. (2010) Case study: eating disorders and Top Model. [Online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRjBEHmVFII [Accessed at: 19 June 2013]

MoroccanBrah. (2011) Males post your ideal gf's body, females post your ideal bf's body, #304. [Image Online] Available at: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=135042441&page=11 [Accessed at: 19 June 2013]

Kaya.T (2008) A Skinny Model's Body Is Not A Healthy Body. [Online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK4XRY5Q2zE [Accesed at: 19 June 2013]

Language and meaning- Do animals have languages?

Language is a way or method for human to communicate.

 Humans have a lot language but how about the animals? According to biologist Con Slobodchikoff's “Chasing Doctor Dolittle,”  he said "animals might have languages that are designed to fit their needs, just as we humans have languages that are designed to fit ours". For examples, dog barks, cat meow, dolphins whistle and etc.They use their own "language" to communicate with the others. 

Two cheetah are "chatting".

Dog and human can get along harmonious. 

I found that it is really fun when sometimes I guess it right what my pet wants. Most of the owner will give their pets a nickname but did the animal really know that is their name? But seriously, they did. Dogs really know their names. I have four dogs and they can recognize their own name. Somehow they even know how you feel and they are trying to make us feel happy.  I believe that although animals brain is not as smart as human, but they do create their own "language".

Research & References:
 Fazeli Fard.M. (2012) Animals have their own languages, author says;parasites turn hosts into zombies. [Online] Available at: http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2012-12-31/national/36103957_1_zombie-apocalypse-host-behavior-parasites [Accessed: 18 June  2013]

Abc.net. (n.d.) Can Animals Talk? [Online] Available at: http://www.abc.net.au/spark/features/can_animals_talk.html [Accessed: 18 June 2013]

Scienceflections.com. (n.d.) Cheetah chatting wallpaper. [Image Online] Available at: http://www.scenicreflections.com/media/282010/cheetah_chatting_Wallpaper/ [Accessed: 18 June 2013]

Domingo. (2011) Los perros y el nacimiento de un bebé en casa... ¿Que hacer? [Image Online] Available at: http://defiendelavidaanimal.blogspot.com/2011_04_01_archive.html [Accessed: 18 June 2013]

Dutat.C. (2006) Talking Animals. [Online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=skE2dq3cm0A [Accessed: 18 June 2013] 

Bostonterrierdogs. (n.d.) Hi Five To All Animal Lover. [Image Online] Available at: http://franktheboston.com/liked/by/franktheboston [Accessed:18 June 2013]