# data[].attributes.headline
Paris Hilton & Nicky Hilton, Vanity Fair, September 1, 2000 (Photo by David LaChapelle/Contour by Getty Images)

# data[].attributes.subject
Paris Hilton & Nicky Hilton, Vanity Fair, September 1, 2000 (Photo by David LaChapelle/Contour by Getty Images)

# data[].attributes.body
Rebellion against norms, Femininity and subcultures

# data[].attributes.body
The immediate thing that struck me about this image was the lack of coverage for the upper body. I took this as a shock factor element, a rebellious move in a setting of wealth and formality. This choice, using the punk aesthetic, challenges norms and expectations given the traditionally polished image associated with Paris Hilton. Despite the delinquent look, the shirt being see through draws attention to the breast which plays a part in the male gaze leading them to look there as "women are presented as objects of male sexual desire" (Bergham, M, 2023 419-443) but her stance and symbols she's using e.g the middle finger is portraying an unfriendly invitation to those of that nature also suggesting control over her own body. Her wearing a fishnet top subverts traditional feminine attire which is especially expected with female celebrities highlighting the importance of gender expression and performativity.

# data[].attributes.body
At first glance, the purple starts as a striking colour not mixing well with the pale, yellowish lighting in the room almost as though it was intentionally done to grab the viewer's attention. The punk rock attire is the main attribute to my liking of this image as it’s something I’m quite fond of, resonating with me as punk can be interpreted in many ways in the public eye. To me, it’s being loud and standing out on purpose, with a reason, and that is this image. The vivid gold and low lighting set a wealthy and almost perfect appearance being a clear juxtaposition to Paris Hilton. Shaggy, undone hair covering her shoulders accompanied by a violet lip that she is biting. Her stance screams intimidation not giving a sense of warm welcomings, she is seemingly unapologetic, mixing the punk style and high-end surroundings which I don’t take as a minor detail since punk fashion links a lot to the banishment of social norms (Grossman, P. 1996 p.24). I intend to explore how the visuals led me to relate the image to the rebellion against societal norms and fashion as an identity, especially for women. This is meaningful to me because it challenges conventional ideas about femininity and wealth by using subgenres.

# data[].attributes.body
The original image was found from the magazine Vanity Fairs naming the shoot ‘ Hip-Hop Debs’ issued on September 1st 2000s by David LaChapelle. American photographer and filmmaker David LaChapelle is known for his striking, strange, and frequently thought-provoking photographs that combine fine art and commercial photography. His work, which centres on issues like celebrity culture, sexuality, and societal critique, frequently has a pop-art aesthetic and vibrant colours.

Upon research, an article describes Paris Hilton and her sister Nicky Hilton to be wealthy and perceived as arrogant by the public also highlighting their emergence in the media and them exploring their youth whilst redefining high society with a hip hop influence.  The text above the image reads “People think i’m just this party girl, Well, i’m not like that” (VanityFair)  uravelling her acknowledgement of the stereotype the public associate's her with and wanting to rebel against the restrictive norms imposed onto her, wanting acknowledgement for her personality and ambitions. By highlighting depth and self-awareness, this within itself challenges the traditional female social role and enables her to redefine what it means to be a modern woman in high society.

We, the viewer, are positioned to see Paris as an emergent cultural character who aspires to subvert conventional standards with a hip-hop influence style, rather than just as a well-off upper-class woman. We see her as a contemporary star who is constructing her image through her unexpected choices she makes.

I initially saw this picture on Twitter and Pinterest.

Many young people are enamored with pop culture and the lifestyles of celebrities, but not because they aspire to be famous in the traditional sense. Instead, they enjoy the authenticity of what some decide to disclose, which helps us connect with them more. Paris in particular is discussing party culture and her authentic enjoyment for such which can resonate with alot of youth. I think it's aimed towards those in the 18–30 age range who go through that leisure life frequently. Both political people and those interested in punk rock aesthetics are the target audience aswell.

# data[].attributes.body
Through this analysis, I've found that Paris has quite a few punk ideologies e.g resistance against women stereotypes and she preaches this despite her place in society being a wealthy woman instead of disregarding it. Specifically being photographed by David also branched out these themes more into a visual portrayal. In the context of fashion media, the theme of rebellion, femininity and self expression is constructed upon first sight of the image leading to communicated ideas of challenging societal norms highlighting the male gaze also playing between huge differences in fashion like high fashion and subculture. Paris Hilton being in punk attire also reflects on how subcultures in the fashion media are being embraced not just by the community but also those of higher status, embracing diverse representations whilst educating others.

# data[].attributes.body
Bergham, M., Calkin, T., et al (2023) ' The female nude and the naked guy: declarative and nondeclarative personal culture in aesthetic responses to artistic nude photography. ', Am J Cult Sociol, 11, 419-443.

Grossman, P. (1996). Identity Crisis: The Dialectics of Rock, Punk, and Grunge. Berkeley Journal of Sociology, 41, 19–40.

Chen Liangfei. (2023). The Female identity being performed -- Gender rebellion in Cindy Sherman’s photography. SHS Web of Conferences, 174, 02015

Sales, N.J. (2000) Hip-hop debs! A Night (and afternoon) with Paris and Nicky Hilton, Vanity Fair. Available at: (Accessed: 04 November 2024).