views on Gok Wan?

I fell on the 'quite like Gok' side of the divide - for his 'love yourself' message rather than the 'wear control pants' insistence - until I caught one episode of 'Miss Naked Beauty' in which plastic surgery was discussed.

One contestant stated that while the cosmetic surgery industry was vile, created problems were there were none, etc, and that treatments such as lipo and breast enlargements were terrible, she didn't see anything terribly wrong with surgery in certain, limited circumstances. I think the example she gave was someone whose confidence and self-worth was totally rock bottom - felt they couldn't succeed at work, in relationships, etc - because of a bump on their nose. Nothing could get them over this nose bump. In that case, said contestant, what is so terribly wrong with having the bump smoothed off? Sure, it would be much better for us all to love our nose bumps (and I speak as someone who has learned to love mine), but should someone who has tried - and failed - for forty years to love theirs be denied the chance to get rid of it?

Well, the poor contestant was flayed by the judges and booted from the competition. Seemed pretty bloody rich coming from someone who, as others on this thread have pointed out, crams women into uplifting bras and corsetry.

I like Gok Wan. He's had terrible problems with body-image, self-perception and low self-esteem so I think he is operating from a position of understanding. Focusing on clothing and make-up may be shallow but being able to look in the mirror and like what you see is something that a lot of people (men as well as women) genuinely struggle with. The naked part is obviously a gimmick but those that go from being too upset to use a communal changing room to feeling confident enough to do a photoshoot in the buff have obviously acheived something significant.

Here is the article about the naked beauty contest.

The show has been going for a while now and I presume that the women who take part want to be helped to "look good" in this particular way. We may think it is sad but this is how life is, you can see how the husbands and family of the women who are subjects are so very proud of them and generally think they look wonderful. For those of us who are interested in fashion it is so easy to get into a rut with what you wear and how you look - I'm not saying this is a good thing, but it is true.

I rather like Gok. He was once fat and (he says) ugly himself, so it is clear he has this as a mission rather than a desire to see people comply to some strange norm.

I wouldn't say no to a make over myself.

Yes, the UK Queer Eye was rubbish. It was the characters on it that made it. They were so bitchy but always witty. I remember one moment particularly fondly: 'It's the 70s, they want their look back.'

whoops - don't know how I managed to post that twice!

I do like him - and I like the way that the show advocates liking yourself as you are rather than having plastic surgery, like they did in 30 Years Younger, The Swan etc. But you're right, he then kind of undoes all that good work by trussing women up in 'support' wear and making them wear heels all the time. And I hate the way he's so grabby with boobs. I've met a couple of gay men who are the same, I always want to tell them that being gay doesn't exclude you from being a gropey pervert!

I loved Queer Eye (the US rather than the UK one, though).

I do like him - and I like the way that the show advocates liking yourself as you are rather than having plastic surgery, like they did in 30 Years Younger, The Swan etc. But you're right, he then kind of undoes all that good work by trussing women up in 'support' wear and making them wear heels all the time. And I hate the way he's so grabby with boobs. I've met a couple of gay men who are the same, I always want to tell them that being gay doesn't exclude you from being a gropey pervert!

I loved Queer Eye (the US rather than the UK one, though). Bring it back, I say!

I loved Queer Eye too! Bring it back, I say.

Oh Haughty, I didn't even see your previous post, I certainly wasn't having a dig!!

Oh, I just love mumsnet! I never would have thought of the programme in that way before! If I ever watch it I'm too busy fantasising about being given a whole new wardrobe .

Great blog op.

I quite like him but I think his program is utter tripe.

I've probably watched it 1.5 times, but for some incoherent reason I do like the guy.

Did any one see the show he did on eating disorders and his own childhood as the only fat, gay Chinese kid the town?

Fantastic blog title!

"and I love VoldeWan!!"

He he thought it was quite good myself actually

Unless it should be VoldeGok of course

It's hard to see how Gok Wan (whatever his sexuality and however nice he may be in real, non-telly life) can be promoting anything other than sexism. He has a woman stripped to her underwear, stands her in front of a big mirror, makes her look at herself and asks her how she feels about herself while she sobs away and mumbles, then tells her she should love her body and that all it takes is him to get her wearing the right clothes.
And the fixation with breasts - objects of fun for all that should be emphasised for the delight of all and sundry! I saw a clip where he grabbed a woman in the street's breasts and then rubbed his head in them (at least she was clothed). How can that be liberating? A human being reduced to bangers, fake tan, and girdles. I hoped that if he made over a man, he'd cup his testicles a few times during the show.

I totally agree about how uncomfortable it would be to wear all those corset hold in underwear under jeans! Also why is it liberating for a middle aged woman to be naked in front of all her family friends and on tv? I think that it is a bit demeaning to be judged in that way. And why do all the women have to wear tight revealing clothes? Comfy transmits are not allowed by gok, but women can look happy and relaxed in comfy clothes as well as attractive.

I personally think he's a nice bloke I was only joking with that comment

I wouldn't make comment on whether he is a nice guy or not, however, he's peddling patriarchy and not doing women any favours.

thats what they all say

No way! He is 100% gay.

does anyone else wonder if 'gay' is a cover to get to be round womens 'bangers' all day?

can you imagine if it was?

Well I am going to buck the trend on here and say I love Gok. I love his programmes. Have read his autobiograophy and went to see an episode of fashion fix filmed in my town. A couple of girls I know actually met him and said he was wonderful. Whilst filming he came accross as a lovely, genuine guy.