How Shallow Is Finola Hughes?



Granted, we are not particularly in the habit in the thick of this election of defending Governor Sarah Palin (Exaggerated cough suggesting feigned detachment). That having been said, Finola Hughes, the thimble-deep fashionista often seen on The Style Network (Averted Gaze), has used the opportunity of one of the most consequential elections in modern history as an opportunity to opine, obnoxiously, on the Governor of Alaska's eyewear. Eyewear! Is this kindergarten?!

Of all the acceptable policy disagreements that one could possibly have with Alaska's governor, Hughes doesn't bring up Palin's Medieval position on abortion -- never, not even in the case of incest and rape. Nor does Hughes explore Governor Palin's position on climate change. Hughes, venturing out of the shallow stream of fashion, swims into into the oceanic depths of politics -- way beyond her pay grade -- onto the subject of the Governor's ... glasses. From the press release:

"'Women over 40 are often caught wearing outdated bifocals. Switching to progressives can make you look years younger, and are much more functional for every day life,' said Hughes. With progressive lenses, Palin will be able to read her notes on the podium and see all the members of her audience.' Hughes also suggests that eyewear should have the proper anti-glare technology to avoid reflecting bright lights on stage. 'My Varilux with Crizal(R) lenses were just what I needed to allow
me to wear my glasses without dealing with the glare of bright lights from the
cameras. Palin should also consider taking preventative measures against
eyewear glare, so we can see her and she can see us more clearly.'

"'It's great to see another strong, smart woman out there wearing eyewear
with confidence,' said Hughes. 'The right eyewear gives any woman instant elegance and sophistication, and commands respect from those around her.'"

Hughes follows up with a rhetorical barrage, a veritable philosophical peroration on the Governor's ... hair ('The bangs, the heavy framed glasses and banana clip are all too
distracting,'" and, we cannot fail to note, the Governor's .. clothes ("Lose the shiny, short, boxy jackets. They do not flatter."). Charmed, I'm sure.

And so we asked, via email, Jono Waks of Jono Productions, who represents Finola, if this wasn't all a little bit feeding into sexism in politics. Does anyone critique McCain or Obama in this manner? "I don't believe any fashion expert would say that fashion criticism is sexist in any way," replied "Jono." "As a women on TV she changed lenses because she needed something that was both fashionable and would photograph well. Palin is now the same as any 'on-air' personality and with a public quick to snap pics with any phone, digi camera, etc, all people in the public eye must be ready for that snap shot because it will end up on the net within seconds."

There you go.