Remember back in elementary school when your teacher would give the class a picture and you'd have to make up a story about what was going on in that picture? Those were good times.
We came across this Woodward Ave. storefront showcase featuring a Somerset Collection store that juxtaposes a historic photo of suffrage activists with a cardboard cutout of what one can only assume is a cross between Karen Carpenter and Quinn Morgendorffer. We thought it would be fun, in honor of first day of school and all, to revive that beloved elementary school assignment. Let us use our imagination to figure out what kind of message this showcase's designers are trying to send.
First, look at how unhappy and, well, plain those suffrage activists look. Probably they need "the vote" to fill a void created by their inability to land a husband. Except for the second from the left. She is married but she drove her husband to the demon rum because she just would not shut up about temperance.
Contrast those gals with cardboard cutout girl. She's young and modern and isn't worried about suffrage (or consuming fewer than 1200 calories a day) because she has giant purses and pretty candles and other lady things that make her so happy! Also, she's texting because (fellas, amirite?) the women just can't stop texting.
So, ladies, you have to ask yourself this question: Do you want to be a plain and homely suffrage activist or a fun pretty girl who shops at the Somerset Collection's Henri Bendel store?
The choice is yours!
Photos by Lauren Davies
