WATCH | This awards season, should red-carpet reporters ask actresses "Who are you wearing?" or #AskHerMore?
If you ask us, why choose?
We're using the hashtag ... to send suggested questions to reporters, in real-time, whenever they risk devaluing the accomplishments of women.
In February of 2014, the nonprofit group The Representation Project launched the #AskHerMore initiative and corresponding hashtag, challenging red-carpet reporters to ask women on a red carpet about topics other than their outfits.
The movement went viral a year later at the 2015 Oscars, where Reese Witherspoon and other celebrities made a point to reference the movement throughout the day in person and on social media.
A related Witherspoon Instagram caption stated she'd "love to answer some of these Qs."
Other women have defended red-carpet chats about fashion.
Maureen O'Connor of New York Magazine's blog The Cut called criticism of the "Who are you wearing?" question "deeply misguided," adding, "If ever there were a time and place to obsess about fancy dresses, it is on the red carpet at the Academy Awards." And USA TODAY contributor Greta Bjornson wrote that she's a feminist who doesn't fully support #AskHerMore: "Intelligent and talented women can enjoy fashion, and answering questions about it is neither sexist nor degrading."
So, how can we ensure that red-carpets are both fashion-friendly and feminist?
- Dedicate one side of the carpet to asking women (and men, please) thoughtful questions about couture.
- Reserve an entirely different section of carpet to questions about anything and everything else.
- If celebrities want to answer both kinds of questions, they can visit both sections.
That way, celebrities and designers can continue to show us more.
