The new Summer’s Eve “Hail to the V” ad campaign has everyone up in arms. Feminists are sneering at it; the ad media kind of digs it. Some of the commercials are vaguely racist. Above all, we think they’re just kind of…sophomoric?
As Jezebel points out, Cleopatra had more than just a vagina; she had a brain. So did the mythical Helen of Troy. By reducing women to their private parts, these commercials perpetuate the idea that a woman’s sexuality is the most interesting thing she has to offer to a man (and by extension, society at large). It mostly seems like Summer’s Eve snatched up that Beyonce song and had an intern run a find-and-replace: “Who run the world? VAGINAS!” That’s one synecdoche I can’t get behind.
What do you think about the ads?
guest
Give em’ a break. They’re advertising for feminine hygiene products. They don’t have alot to work with.
At least they didn’t get dibs on Nike’s trademark. Can you imagine:
Summer’s Eve: Just Do It.
guest
I mean we can’t be sure, but did a MONK just fight for “it”? o_o
dahlia / 2747 posts
i get where they’re going, but still. simplifying these strong powerful women to just their vaginas… come on.
guest
I prefer to think I have a lot more going for me than just my lady business.
guest
the vag naturally cleanses itself just like the eyeballso.O
I think it was more of the sexy sideboob from the one shoulder dress that launched a thousand ships
guest
I saw this at the movies; I thought it was pretty funny.
c h i l l
guest
…when I first read this, I was like “oh come on, what are they sposed to say; ‘women have vaginas, but their brains are more important. buy our stuff.’?” but then I watched the ad and…yea, you’re right. I’m SURE they could have thought of a better way to do this.
guest
I paused Modest Mouse for that? :/
It’s not reducing women to what they have to offer downstairs. What I got from it was totally different. I think they were having fun with the concept, and I thought it was kind of humorous to say that men fought for it, died for it… lol.
Like the first commenter said, they don’t have a lot to work with.
dahlia / 2012 posts
Cleopatra VII wasn’t as pretty as the woman in the commercial.
guest
POWER TO THE VAG! hellz ya
magnolia / 1066 posts
I’m kind of whatever about it. It doesn’t offend me, it just seems silly.
rose / 795 posts
This played at the movies before Harry Potter. My mom and I were completely stunned. I don’t like these ads at all.
guest
I think I saw this at the movie theater while watching Harry Potter 7.2. My friend and I were expecting something a little more … epic, and then they sprung the Summer’s Eve thing on us. We were not impressed, to say the least. It wasn’t that they were demeaning the female only to their genitalia, but that the whole commercial was just dumb. I thought it was a Feminist approved ad for some reason. All Hail the Vag. it sounds feminist.
sunflower / 318 posts
That’s strange. A very simplistic view of history. Whatever, Summer’s Eve. I’m just glad I haven’t seen this commercial on tv yet. Weird.
guest
i was pretty offended watching that commercial. but i think saying “[what] she has to offer to a man (and by extension, society at large)” makes it seem like you are making the concession that men = society at large.
guest
…vaginas seem kind of dangerous. no wonder “the man” is always trying to keep a good woman down.
guest
So I watched the video before reading the article and I def. facepalmed after watching it.
tulip / 14 posts
I thought it was funny and cleverly put..
I mean a woman probably made this product and was probably in charge for the video, and she probably doesn’t think men only want her for her vag… clearly, it was a joke. duh.
guest
LOLOLOLOLOlololol…..oh dear goodness…I saw this ad in the movie theater ha! after the ad ended everyone was either saying “seriously?! what the fuck?” or just laughing at the awkwardness of it.
sunflower / 257 posts
lol I actually quite enjoyed this…
Ohh Have a sense of humour people
guest
I think the ads are pretty funny. I mean they grab my attention which is what they’re meant to do!
sunflower / 397 posts
I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard. xD That commercial was ridiculous!
guest
It’s quite typical, though.
sunflower / 393 posts
I first saw it at Transformers 3 with my husband and a bunch of his military buddies. It was an awkward moment, especially since everyone laughed and I was like, “That was dumb.” I don’t think it’s sexist or anything, I just think it’s stupid. For one: douches are bad for your vagina. And two: it’s uncomfortably provocative if you’re with the wrong company – like I was.
guest
Hail to the V !! – lol oh Summers Eve how I love all your ads even the stupid hand puppet ones