Ahhhh….. the glamorous life of a Hollywood starlet. The clothes, the stylists, the make up artists, the cover-photo shoots, the pampering. Those girls must just be in heaven, right? Not only that ….. but wow, aren’t they gorgeous!? Now you say to yourself — "Why don’t I look like that?"

A recent article in the New York Times by the former editor of Harper’s Bazaar — Kate Betts - gave homage to the "master artist" who airbrushes the covers of women’s magazines. This "master artist" is considered a savior in the industry — literally "saving" the public from having to endure photos that would show the imperfections of the female body. Of course, the article neglected to point out the negative affects that this imagery has on women’s images of our own bodies, our confidence, and ultimately our sexuality. Nor did it draw the obvious conclusion that airbrushing creates a power dynamic where you cede control over your image and the display of YOUR body to the "master artist."

The only comment along these lines was from, Kate Winslet, a starlet in her own right, who was quoted as being so freaked out by the amount of retouching on one of her current covers that she would not even WANT to look like the altered image. Although she HAD been toning up a bit to get ready for a part, this "curvy" beauty who had been heralded as a stunning example of a new body type in Hollywood, had been digitally transformed into the very same svelte cover girl that she would never aspire to be.  

In another piece, Heather Graham reportedly told a journalist that when she sees her image on the cover of a woman’s magazine, she is amazed that she has become the same woman that makes her feel so badly about herself! She, herself, sees the irony in perpetuating the same sort of imagery that makes her insecure. She is some sort of totem of the unattainable — the impossibility of BEING the woman that is in the picture. How very odd …..

Evidentially, the editors of Playboy pulled a planned pictorial of Carnie Wilson from the magazine … because after having undergone a major surgery, and losing 150 pounds, she STILL wasn’t thin enough! The media is at war with women. Women are at war with women. We are at war with ourselves! Quel travesty!

Judging from your responses to the "Generation Pro-Choice" — CAKE Byte - How have reproductive rights affected your life?, there is a overwhelming need for an accurate, and respectful document of women’s voices to be published and heard Unfortunately, it seems that we continue to move in the opposite direction - an ever growing dichotomy between women’s real life experiences and the images and information that are put forth in the mainstream - in media, entertainment, and fashion.

What is the deal here? Why are mainstream representations of the female image so distorted? As a society, why do we continue to aspire to a false image of what it means, looks like and feels like to be a woman? How can we possibly be expected to reconcile this physical impossibility, with the realities of who we really are?

The true negative power of the media comes not only in the visual misrepresentation of a what a woman looks like, but in the ability to detach a woman's body from her personal and political voice. Isn't it time that we appreciate other women for our amazing voices, talents, personal style, drive, and perspective and not judge each other solely based on our ability to maintain any visual ideal?

Loving your body and owning your body go hand in hand. Acceptance of your body, its nuisances, its resilience, its beauty is a process that evolves throughout your entire life and allows you to embrace your sexuality. One way to achieve this is to put pressure on these industries by demonstrating a different model - one that promotes women and our sexuality, not hurts and hinders it. Another way to foster this growth is to make a real effort to positively accept other women for who they are. Contrary to what we were brought up to believe, life is NOT a competition. We are all in it together. We, as women, need to move onwards, to a new way of being.

CAKE asks you to take this opportunity to promote your freedom of choice and expression. But rather than a narrowly defined protest, CAKE says reject mainstream notions of divisiveness and competition, and bond and connect with women. Dispel the misrepresentations and promote a different vision to the world by coming together to celebrate female sexual culture. Promote a state of togetherness.

CLUB.CAKE addresses culturally relevant issues facing female sexuality today by flipping the power dynamic to the women in the room — creating a safe, comfortable environment for true sexual expression. These issues sculpt and inform the themes and purpose of CLUB.CAKE events while addressing power issues, myths about female sexuality body image, community, forum - precisely because we are hard pressed to find a space elsewhere to do so.

The CAKE community has the power to send a different message — one of love, community and peace. Let’s show each other how to look and feel beautiful on our own terms. We can enjoy beauty and fashion and style without feeling the oppressive nature of crazy artificial standards, uber-impossible aspiration, and conformity. Come show your love, your faith in each other, and your and faith in humanity on February 14^th . We invite you to "Make CAKE, Not War".

Make CAKE, Not War
Friday February 14^th — 10pm
Lobby
330 West 38^th Street b/w 8^th and 9th
Click here to RSVP

From CAKE with Love