Presidentielle au naturel
Meet Ségolène Royal (click on bold text below) :
Desirs d'Avenir
This year, along with more than 20 other candidates, Mademoiselle Royal (she and her long-time partner François Hollande opted for the PACS instead of marriage and she therefore retains her civil status as a Mademoiselle... as well as her last name. Note that this monicker has frequently been used pejoratively by her dissidents, as a means of pointing out her unconventional attitude toward conjugal bliss) will campaign to win the hearts of the French and become the first female president of la République.
If you haven't yet visited the link above, I invite you to do so, and while there, to watch the video presented on welcome page. In a word, it is remarkable. Remarkable not only in the fact that a highly mediatised candidate has created a web page, proffering yet another means for the internet-vested commoners to glean the kernels of her political strategy as head of the Parti Socialiste, but in her very low-key presentation.
The video clip seems to be shot in the corner of her living room, revealing classic Parisian interior details like white, white monochromatic walls and moulures. As a strand of colorful garland hangs asymmetrically behind her, a lovely, modern blown-glass lampshade threatens to overtake her on the right. The hand-held video camera zooms in and out, reminiscent of family Christmas videos we've all become so fond of producing. And there, perched attentively on a modest, slip-covered chair smiles Ségo seriously. She clasps her hands and looks to the left of the camera, alternately nodding her head and narrowing her eyes - denoting the gravity of her best wishes - with gestures that have improved dramatically since she first took to the podium for the autumn debates.
Most striking to me, however, is Ms. Royal's very natural, almost unpolished appearance. Unlike American politicians, Ms. Royal faces the camera and the world looking as if she spent the last couple of hours strolling through the Bois de Boulogne with Mr. Hollande and their four children, not suffering the hands of stylists, hair/makeup/clothing/lighting experts. Her makeup is subtle and doesn't aim to entirely conceal her undereye circles or the shine of her T-zone. Her brown hair hangs casually, even limply on her shoulders. The rose mock turtleneck sweater peeking out from a fantastical jacket looks like it could have been purchased at Monoprix, the French equivalent of Mervyn's.
From an American perspective, this show of understated attention to appearance is intriguing and refreshing. Of course, I'm not so naive to believe that this "see-I'm-just-like-you" demeanor hasn't been perfected and studied by Ms. Royal and her team of communications strategists. But even so, I struggle to imagine Hillary Clinton airing her Happy New Year wishes on-line in an ensemble suggesting anything less than Florentine textiles and Parisian couture, forehead shining, bleached blond locks needing a blown-out, and teeth anything less than Crest-advert-brilliant.
Ségolène Royal has often been denigrated for her supposed reliance on her good looks in gaining media attention and voter fidelity. Does this video clip reveal her awareness of the fine line she walks between being too pretty to face the ugliness of politics and not groomed enough to impose French diplomatic will? It would seem that a woman deemed physically attractive must consciously neutralize the magnetic affect of her carnal charms or else stand accused of bewitching her followers unjustly.
As if Dominique de Villepin hasn't scored points with the female voting populus with his silver windswept coiffure and his Gallic pout.
Desirs d'Avenir
This year, along with more than 20 other candidates, Mademoiselle Royal (she and her long-time partner François Hollande opted for the PACS instead of marriage and she therefore retains her civil status as a Mademoiselle... as well as her last name. Note that this monicker has frequently been used pejoratively by her dissidents, as a means of pointing out her unconventional attitude toward conjugal bliss) will campaign to win the hearts of the French and become the first female president of la République.
If you haven't yet visited the link above, I invite you to do so, and while there, to watch the video presented on welcome page. In a word, it is remarkable. Remarkable not only in the fact that a highly mediatised candidate has created a web page, proffering yet another means for the internet-vested commoners to glean the kernels of her political strategy as head of the Parti Socialiste, but in her very low-key presentation.
The video clip seems to be shot in the corner of her living room, revealing classic Parisian interior details like white, white monochromatic walls and moulures. As a strand of colorful garland hangs asymmetrically behind her, a lovely, modern blown-glass lampshade threatens to overtake her on the right. The hand-held video camera zooms in and out, reminiscent of family Christmas videos we've all become so fond of producing. And there, perched attentively on a modest, slip-covered chair smiles Ségo seriously. She clasps her hands and looks to the left of the camera, alternately nodding her head and narrowing her eyes - denoting the gravity of her best wishes - with gestures that have improved dramatically since she first took to the podium for the autumn debates.
Most striking to me, however, is Ms. Royal's very natural, almost unpolished appearance. Unlike American politicians, Ms. Royal faces the camera and the world looking as if she spent the last couple of hours strolling through the Bois de Boulogne with Mr. Hollande and their four children, not suffering the hands of stylists, hair/makeup/clothing/lighting experts. Her makeup is subtle and doesn't aim to entirely conceal her undereye circles or the shine of her T-zone. Her brown hair hangs casually, even limply on her shoulders. The rose mock turtleneck sweater peeking out from a fantastical jacket looks like it could have been purchased at Monoprix, the French equivalent of Mervyn's.
From an American perspective, this show of understated attention to appearance is intriguing and refreshing. Of course, I'm not so naive to believe that this "see-I'm-just-like-you" demeanor hasn't been perfected and studied by Ms. Royal and her team of communications strategists. But even so, I struggle to imagine Hillary Clinton airing her Happy New Year wishes on-line in an ensemble suggesting anything less than Florentine textiles and Parisian couture, forehead shining, bleached blond locks needing a blown-out, and teeth anything less than Crest-advert-brilliant.
Ségolène Royal has often been denigrated for her supposed reliance on her good looks in gaining media attention and voter fidelity. Does this video clip reveal her awareness of the fine line she walks between being too pretty to face the ugliness of politics and not groomed enough to impose French diplomatic will? It would seem that a woman deemed physically attractive must consciously neutralize the magnetic affect of her carnal charms or else stand accused of bewitching her followers unjustly.
As if Dominique de Villepin hasn't scored points with the female voting populus with his silver windswept coiffure and his Gallic pout.
Comments
I, for one, have always found a silver bob to be one of the most attractive, sophisticated and powerful looks for women of un certain age.