Antonina Vasylchenko in ‘Good Housekeeping’ by Yelena Yemchuk for Dazed & Confused.

Photographer: Yelena Yemchuk. Model(s): Antonina Vasylchenko. Source: Dazed & Confused.

Posted Jan 27, 2013

Antonina Vasylchenko challenges traditional female roles in ‘Good Housekeeping’ by Yelena Yemchuk for Dazed & Confused, February 2013.  Turning convention on it’s head, Karen Langley’s brilliant styling mixes retro-inspired garb with an avant-garde edge, for a biting commentary on the antiquated notion of what it means to be a ‘Good Housewife.’  Surrounded by vintage designs, the 60’s style decor adds an element of reality to this controversial topic.  Dark retro furnishings and heavy wood walls represents that which weighs down the modern woman. Trapped by our history, much of what still impedes our collective success is the continued pressure to stay within our expected limits.  As progressive as we might feel, our gender still fights to break free from sexual bias.  Whether it’s in the kitchen, the bedroom or out on the town, a woman’s role is still often thought to be, what a man wants.  Playing the part of the “perfect woman,” Vasylchenko’s thought-provoking performance takes us back to a time when we didn’t have a choice.  When to be a Good Wife meant to keep quiet and look pretty.  Beautiful and vacant, these powerful images remind us the cost of giving up your freedom.