Conversations with Tyler

Ashley Mears on Status and Beauty

Jun 3, 2020

Ashley Mears, a former fashion model and now an academic sociologist, dives into the complex relationship between status and beauty in elite social circles. She shares insights from her book, revealing how women leverage 'bodily capital' for gains in nightlife. The conversation touches on why clubgoers prioritize beauty, the unexpected dynamics of being scouted, and how beauty influences academic perceptions. Mears also reflects on her writing process, advocating for a deeper understanding of social status and economic capitulation within the glamorous party scene.

01:01:55

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Episode guests

Ashley Mears

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Navigating Elite Social Circles

10min

Beauty, Status, and Nightlife Dynamics

19min

The Shifting Landscape of Modeling

11min

Cultural Commentary and Gender Dynamics

12min

Korean Beauty Standards and Plastic Surgery

4min

Curiosity and Parenting: The Sociological Perspective

2min

Navigating Writing Habits and Sweet Indulgences

2min

Ashley Mears is a former fashion model turned academic sociologist, and her book Very Important People: Status and Beauty in the Global Party Circuit is one of Tyler’s favorites of the year. The book, the result of eighteen months of field research, describes how young women exchange “bodily capital” for free drinks and access to glamorous events, boosting the status of the big-spending men they accompany.

Ashley joined Tyler to discuss her book and experience as a model, including the economics of bottle service, which kinds of men seek the club experience (and which can’t get in), why Tyler is right to be suspicious of restaurants filled with beautiful women, why club music is so loud, the surprising reason party girls don’t want to be paid, what it’s like to be scouted, why fashion models don’t smile, the truths contained in Zoolander, how her own beauty and glamour have influenced her academic career, how Barbara Ehrenreich inspired her work, her unique tip for staying focused while writing, and more.

Read a full transcript enhanced with helpful links, or watch the full video.

Recorded May 8th, 2020 Other ways to connect

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