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Original poster

Have I hit peak feminist or am I reading too much into this

108 replies

NothingOnTellyAgain · 18/08/2018 17:02

In paperchase today I was browsing with DD (8) who liked some notepads (obviously aimed to appeal to the girl / teen girl market).

I looked at the display and as a bit Hmm.

There were 3 designs,
1 an avocado (ok - unless I am missing something)
1 an aubergine (widely accepted text speak for penis)
1 a peach (widely accepted to refer to bums, and drawn like a bum really, and with a heart stamped on one cheek so it looked like an arse tattoed with a heart)

Are they doing this on purpose? It seems really odd. Lots of people (mums and kids) might not realise especially with the dick one.

Someone did a thread the other day about girls tshirts with cherries on as well.

It's deliberate isn't it. Why do they do this? Any ideas?

OP posts:
Tanith · 19/08/2018 00:23

I could accept that Paperchase were just following a trend were it not for the pencil case that includes the 3 questionable fruits/vegetables all together.

Also, it's Philip Normal, who is considered edgy and probably not a designer for the younger market:

www.kaltblut-magazine.com/one-to-watch-philip-normal/

bringincrazyback · 19/08/2018 00:11

I think you could be reading too much into it myself, although your post did just remind me of the end credits of 'Man About The House' where they showed two ornamental cats and an ornamental cockerel, which gave me a chuckle. Grin

Fabricwitch · 19/08/2018 00:08

And Paperchase isn't as aimed at school kids as you might think. I used to work there and it was mostly women in their 20s and 30s. And I am one of those fully grown women with many a pencil case.

Fabricwitch · 19/08/2018 00:03

You're not reading too much into fruit print as a fashion.
This article explains is pretty well www.google.ie/amp/s/www.vogue.com/article/fruit-prints-summer-2018-trend-history/amp
But I think Paperchase are just following a trend

Urbanbeetler · 18/08/2018 23:52

Crikey, if a student turned up with that on their desk in my classroom, it would have gone right over my head. Just a few bits of healthy vegetation.

Original poster
NothingOnTellyAgain · 18/08/2018 23:47

Anyway will post their response when it comes!

OP posts:
Original poster
NothingOnTellyAgain · 18/08/2018 23:46

www.paperchase.co.uk/peach-stationery-set.html?___store=default

OP posts:
ThanksHunkyJesus · 18/08/2018 23:45

When I were a lass things were so much more innocent.

Original poster
NothingOnTellyAgain · 18/08/2018 23:44

The set for this product has text "Are you peachy keen for the new school year or first day on a new job?"

Stationary featuring fruit and veg has for some reason been a big thing with primary school this year - I know as it's my kids age.

DD and her friends have all been mad for things with melon, strawberries and stuff. So it's a theme fully in line with current primary school fashion, as it were.

I don't know why I'm needing to justify this! It's just totally obvious :D

OP posts:
LassWiADelicateAir · 18/08/2018 23:40

I don't think it's targeted at children because the avocado is a reference to millennials

The avocado pencil case I linked to is in the "kids' zone" and "back to school" sections of their website.

gatheringmoss · 18/08/2018 23:39

I've often used paperchase to buy gifts for nieces aged 9-16

LassWiADelicateAir · 18/08/2018 23:38

I find the suggestion they are not aimed at girls/ teen girls a bit of a reach tbh!

It was a very feeble and implausible excuse.

LassWiADelicateAir · 18/08/2018 23:35

Hang on... Is Paperchase a kids' suitable stationery shop? Does it claim to be? Even as a teen I thought it was for older teens/adults given some of the subject matters of the greetings cards (and the prices!). I wouldn't take my primary school age child in Paperchase for school accessories

It is a high street stationery shop with multiple branches. It has a "kid's zone" on its website- which includes this.

www.paperchase.co.uk/stationery/essentials/pencil-cases/avocado-pu-pencil-case.html

It is not the Ann Summers of the stationery world.

gatheringmoss · 18/08/2018 23:35

My hairdresser recently told me about the aubergine. I had no idea. I have used peach as bum myself. I work in design, but I'm old so maybe I don't speak emoji very well.

Personally avocados are really trendy to eat sounds old by saying trendy

I used to have a country companions pencil tin at secondary school - cute little woodland animal drawings

Original poster
NothingOnTellyAgain · 18/08/2018 23:33

It's like Claire's or smiggle in that bit.

Go and have a look :)

OP posts:
Original poster
NothingOnTellyAgain · 18/08/2018 23:32

It's full of sparkles and sequins and glitter and cute animals and pencil cases

Yes that part of it has girls aged about 8- 15 in mind if have thought, like the next step on from smiggle! They hand a lot of things with that 2 way sequin effect which is all over smiggle etc at mo.

The cards and some of the other bits - picture frames fountain pens are for older for sure.

How many adult women use pencil cases? Let alone ones with cutesie pics all over them!

I find the suggestion they are not aimed at girls/ teen girls a bit of a reach tbh!

OP posts:
SonicVersusGynaephobia · 18/08/2018 22:55

God, I'm going to have to look much more critically at, well, everything.

This is actually quite grim. It's definitely someone having a laugh.

Ullupullu · 18/08/2018 22:51

Hang on... Is Paperchase a kids' suitable stationery shop? Does it claim to be? Even as a teen I thought it was for older teens/adults given some of the subject matters of the greetings cards (and the prices!). I wouldn't take my primary school age child in Paperchase for school accessories.

Helmetbymidnight · 18/08/2018 22:48

Once you see cock, fanny, arse, you can’t under it.
I’m with you op, it’s deliberate and it’s shoddy- but it’s paperchase- quell surprise.

TheDropBear · 18/08/2018 22:44

I don't think it's targeted at children because the avocado is a reference to millennials. Avocado print stuff is popular now anyway but that's what the avocado is associated with. It's because someone published an article claiming millenials would be able to afford a house if they stopped eating avocado toast.

noeffingidea · 18/08/2018 22:41

I've seen the aubergine and peach references a lot lately. They're pretty obvious really. I didn't know that definition of avocado being straight appearing gay man though. Reminds me of the song about Pablo Picasso.
Yeah it probably is deliberate. If you want a fruit theme on products marketed towards children then stick to oranges, lemons and pineapples. No double meanings there (as far as I'm aware)

BabyTeeth · 18/08/2018 22:35

I need to know the outcome of this [pencil] case.

CardsforKittens · 18/08/2018 22:26

Is it just me but is there a leery and salacious undertone to that?

Not just you Lass. It reads that way to me too. I imagine it's intended to be funny. Ha. Ha. Ha. Nah.

LassWiADelicateAir · 18/08/2018 22:17

Get three of your five a day and keep everything peachy keen with this hard shell pencil case, featuring three of our favourite emojis! The hard shell protects your most precious pens, pencils and stationery accessories, with an eggplant charm attached to the zip for that extra detail- what's not to love?!"

Is it just me but is there a leery and salacious undertone to that?

LassWiADelicateAir · 18/08/2018 22:06

They are horrible and the designer must know the meaning behind them. On their own without that meaning they are meaningless, not particularly attractive objects.

You might deplore marketing Cath Kidston style flowers and puppies at girls but at least they are pretty

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