women, style, beauty and glamor

There are a few lifestyle channels operating in Pakistan, Style 360, FTV etc. These channels attempt to promote the attributes of a certain class where style, beauty and glamour are an essential part of lifestyle. These channels attempt to portray a degree of perfection, and the women tend to become an important part of it. In a channel like this, beautiful, tall, sleek and slender women are shown.
Typically, a woman in this channel is portrayed as a symbol of glamour and beauty. It could almost be said that in a channel like this her womanhood is celebrated and exalted more than it ever has been anywhere.
The world shown on fashion channels is very plastic and so is the women associated with it are generally perceived to be. But usually it’s not just the perception of one; they are presented in a manner that is very ‘plastic’. It lacks much depth. She is supposed to look and sound beautiful. Her outward appearance is the main focus, while her sensitive and knowledgeable side is ignored to an extent that it becomes secondary to looks.
On a social level, this portrayal of woman consciously or unconsciously attempts to define certain gender roles for women. Women as opposed to men are to be presented in a beautiful manner, where they are an entity to be seen and applauded. It is imperative on them to look and act beautiful and pretty and to present them in a way that is appealing to its audience.
From a political aspect, it shows women as a powerful presence in the society, who is not only seeking but exercising her right to speak authoritatively yet elegantly. She argues and convinces; and keeps a command on all that surrounds her. Therefore, she presents herself as a true representative of a liberal society. Moreover, the almost perfect scenarios created in this channel, also stimulates a move towards an idealist society. These almost perfect looking women with continuous dreams and aspirations to become even better give birth to a race towards idealism.
How a woman is presented here also has certain other religious/ social implications on the society. It tends to fragment the society into two different groups. One that supports all this glamorous and pompous show of women and the other that prefers to see women behind veils and speaking in a low tone.