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Femvertizing

Can a flavoured douche or tough mascara empower women? Satirist Heydon Prowse explores how brands are jumping on the feminist bandwagon to sell their products.

Be it shoe polish, hair curlers or a perfumed douche, brands hail their products as promoting girl power, body positivity and gender equality. Fashion names emblazon T shirts with positive feminist messages, shower gel bottles celebrate all shapes of women, even Monopoly has as Ms version addressing the gender pay gap.

Are companies just jumping on the feminist bandwagon or are they real social justice warriors?

Heydon discusses FKA Twigg’s bottom and the need for repentance with author Ella Whelan. And marketing expert Katie Martell explains faux femvertizing and which ads make her drop her panties.

He hears how fake suffragettes helped flog cigarettes from advertising guru Jean Kilbourne, and comedian Josie Long uncovers ads where women are reduced to a pair of breasts.

Tech journalist Sage Lazzaro tells how Feminist Apparel staff’s revolt backfired, China Labour Watch’s Li Qiang talks factory supply chains, and amongst the bubbles at Lush, Hilary Jones explains how they supported the Spy Cops and why there are no oompa loompa their factories.

Producer: Sarah Bowen
Assistant Producer: Olivia Sopel

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Tue 2 Jul 2024 21:00

Broadcasts

  • Thu 1 Feb 2024 16:00
  • Tue 2 Jul 2024 21:00