Ethics in Fashion "Journalism" - Are There Any?

Having grown up reading fashion magazines, I know they are all about aspiration and incorporate a fair amount of artifice. Okay, a lot of artifice. It’s all part of the fun.

Today’s issue of the New York Times Style Magazine sunk to a new low though in my estimation. On pages 77 and 83, there are gorgeous advertisements for Chloe and Celine. Flipping through, I paused at the images, commenting to my husband at how similar the coloring is in the layouts. I guess orange must be the “it” color of spring 2012.

Then I get to the article about Gucci Westman on page 100. According to the intro, the piece is about Westman being “hunkered down at home”  where “high glamour takes a back seat to stylish comfort.” Right off the bat I notice that she’s wearing a decidedly unhunkered down dress. And wait, that dress looks familiar doesn’t it? Yup, it’s a Celine.

Is this coincidence or shifty product placement?

I find my answer by flipping the page. There’s Westman playing with her kids in—wait for it, wait for it—a Chloe dresses obviously from the same line as those shown on page 77.

“It’s outrageous!” I exclaim to my husband. “Do they really think we are too stupid to notice?”

Apparently, the answer is yes.

On page 163, journalist Lara Logan is featured in her child-friendly home wearing one of the Chloe skirts from page 77, albeit in a different colorway. At least in this instance, they’re honest about the “story” being an advertisement: shopping details are included in the photo caption.

Isn’t this all a bit fishy? Call me naïve, but I was disappointed the NYT would make its “editorial” selections in such obvious cahoots with its advertisers. “They should be ashamed of themselves,” I said to my completely disinterested husband.

Or maybe I’m the one who ought to be ashamed—for having read this fluff instead of the actual news, or better yet, playing in the snow with my kids.