Nudity

[Former_Member]

Hello Team members.

Now and then I search on Etsy for the most used keywords in my shop to see where are my items. Are they showing on first few pages or not.
So I was just searcing for "unique evening bags" (because someone used it to find my items) and I came across a seller who photographs her items (bags) on women naked body. The first thing that crossed my mind was: Is she selling her body or her bags? Is that even allowed on Etsy?

[heartsabustin]

As long as there aren't any "mature" parts being seen, they can do whatever they want to. Anything that shows genitalia must either be censored or have a "mature listing" avatar - breasts, I think, are exempt from that ruling. I'd have to check the TOU's again on that, but, of course, Etsy has screwed that up so badly it's hard to find what the rules are exactly anymore.

[Former_Member]

I thought the same thing. Sex sells right---I guess?
I saw one with the model showing a side boob
that caught my eye before the product did.
Oh well
anything goes here on etsy it seems

[Former_Member]

Kathy, unfortunately sex sells, but only IF her market target were men ;-)

[Former_Member]

Yeah, I've seen some racy necklace and shoe pics too. . .Wow. . .

[ShopCaitandCo]

Agreed. I've come across some pictures like that before and just think, "Well that's not what I thought I was searching for!"

[Former_Member]

So there's more photos like that? Wow! This was the first one I've come across. And it's allowed?

[Former_Member]

That's not necessarily true about the target market needing to be men. Society uses 'attractive' females to try and get women to buy certain products, showing the products with an attractive person or sexy person gives the subconscious impression that you can attain the beauty or attractiveness of the model by buying the product.
Tat said,nudity does not really offend me as long as it it not blatant pornography but I would have to wonder what kind of person thinks selling handbags modeled with naked women is going to be successful.

[Former_Member]

I think I see the listing you are referring to; the photo does not show full nudity. It's a risque photo, but it is their choice how they want heir brand and products portrayed.

[Former_Member]

It might prompt me to buy...IF *I* would get the svelt figure when I put on the evening bag, necklace, etc.

[SnarkFactory]

I think that's smart marketing. The ad basically says "If you buy this bag, you'll look and feel as sexy as the woman in this photo." It manipulates customers into buying, which is why naked women sell everything from vodka to shaving cream.

[BlackCatStudio98]

StoneWyre from StoneWyre says:

Edited on Dec 11, 2013 .It might prompt me to buy...IF *I* would get the svelt figure when I put on the evening bag, necklace, etc.

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This made me laugh! I KNOW I would buy in that case!

[PithAndRootStudio]

Certainly nothing new about that kind of advertising. Open any Vogue issue and there will be at least a dozen ads and maybe a spread or two showing nudity. Perhaps the seller is aspiring to that kind of edginess.

[TheSalvagedEdge]

Whatever floats her boat. It's still more covered up than Miley Cyrus in her latest video. I don't mind nudity too much, but the blatant sex is what gets me. The latest perfume commercial with people actually in bed in the throws of sex makes me a little uneasy. I don't think nudity and sex go hand in hand.
A nipple isn't always sexual.

[Former_Member]

Whatever works, it wouldn't work for my shop but I can see it working for lots of shops on Etsy. I agree with others, as long as it isn't blatant sex or raunchy posing I'm okay with it.

[Former_Member]

It's couture, so that is almost expected in the promotion of something 'high fashion'. I also think it is a smart marketing move.

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

I think I'll find a nude model to pose for a photo while looking at one of my cat Christmas cards. Sounds like a plan to me. :)

[WilliamsGiftshop]

I don't see what's the problem.

[Former_Member]

I understand, Kristina. I would find that in poor taste too. But I don't like the "sex sells" mentality to begin with. I also tend to think you can be "sexy" without showing a ton of skin. But that is whole other topic for a different day. :)

[Former_Member]

LOL Judy! That will be the first in greeting card marketing :D

[Former_Member]

How can it be smart marketing, when all I read about in the Etsy Handbook and in teams is show your items on white background if you want your items to be in treasuries, front page etc.?

It doesn't matter if it's in Vouge or in any other fashion magazine, it's just bad taste. As for the singers who are half naked in their videos, they have to attract attention somehow, if they can't do it with good voice and lyrics, right? Look at Adele or Florence Welch, are they half naked? They don't have to be.

[Former_Member]

That is totally opinion ^

[Former_Member]

The particular seller in question has over 500 sales, also.

[SnarkFactory]

It's smart marketing because it got your attention. Not only did it get your attention, it caused you to bring it to other people's attention. And THEN, we all checked out the rest of their shop lol. Whether we like them or not, we are all aware of their brand and now have an opinion about their designs/marketing plan. Sure, there are other ways to market a brand, but being memorable is extremely important, and risqué/sexy photos are pretty memorable.

Also, there are a billion and one ways to take a pretty photo. You don't HAVE to have a white background. Art is subjective.

[PithAndRootStudio]

Lol. That's so true, Mallory. I think there's a fine line between art and advertising sometimes. I see nudity in high fashion as potentially very artistic and I don't think it's always sexual. Nudity does not necessarily equal sex. As a painter and student of art history, I love the human body and see no shame in it.

But of course in some lower forms of advertising, especially ordinary products directed toward men like beer and cars, it is the sex they are pushing and it isn't art.

Posing nude models with women's bags? A little edgy and kind of cute, I think.