A Question of Taste (clip)

Questions

• How old do you think these young women are?
• Attitudes to what young women wear has changed, but does anything of what he said hold true?
• At what age do you think it would be acceptable for this young women would be advised to wear the hat?
• Why did they ask a man to present the show?
• Who would be Hardy Amies' contemporary TV counterpart?
• Would filmmakers use sketches in a modern fashion commentary programme?

Activities

This film was made before the invention of the concept of 'the teenager'. Discuss what these young women had to live without.

The tone of Hardy's delivery makes the film appear deeply patronising to women. Use this film to introduce a discussion of whether things have things really changed. There is a lot of evidence to suggest that men still dominate the fashion industry and are still trying to achieve the ideal of the perfect woman. Investigate how the fashion industry is controlled and how fashion publications manipulate the female image. How does this influence young women emotionally, psychologically and physically?

Ask the boys to design clothes for the girls and girls to design clothes for the boys. Ask them to explain their ideas and choices.

Investigate the decline of the hat. Where and when do women still wear hats? What religious and moral significance do hats and headgear have?

Compare this film to public information films made during the war like Wood Goes to War. Discuss how and why gender politics have changed so much during the intervening years. What does this say about relations between men and women in society?