To my surprise, the saddest article currently in The New York Times online edition has nothing to do with Africa or Iraq, but Oprah and Chicago. Cutely titled "This Old Thing? It Was Oprah’s!" the piece covers the unstoppable Oprah machine's new retail venture: the Oprah Store. There, along with Oprah's favorite books and kitchen accessories, one can also buy the perma-dieting talk show host's used clothes, many of which apparently make her seem like a freakish giant: "The pants are too long and the shoes are too big, but I will definitely be back for a sweater or a skirt," noted one top-heavy customer.
But the shop itself, which donates all of its proceeds to charity, is not the depressing part; its customers are. Customers who remember exact skirts Oprah once wore in a magazine and who say things like: "I like shiny stuff and a lot of her stuff is shiny … " And that's just the obsessives. The most excruciating quote comes from Barbara Jean Hoy, a retired housekeeper and a regular at this Oprah mall, who says shopping there makes her feel better about her life: "When you go in there, you just feel great, like you are somebody …" Ms Hoy once bought a $40 blouse from the store, undeterred by the high price because the garment had visible armpit stains, compliments of Oprah. Hoy won't wear the blouse outdoors and she keeps the tags on.
Editor
I wouldn't buy a $3 shirt from a Goodwill if it had a pit stain, you've got to draw a line. You've got to draw a line around arm pits and crotches and nipple areas and do not wear anything if there is a stain within those lines.
I go past this store everyday on my way to work. You are only reading the quotes of people the going imagine seeing them up close everyday in thier "natural habitat."
Is it bad that I was honestly laughing out loud at that?
I can't imagine how I missed Oprah's deification ceremony.
vomit
I stopped liking Oprah when it was painfully obvious that she became a megalomaniac. Where's my fat, insecure, unsure Oprah? I miss her. The current Oprah is what Tyra will be like in 25 years.
Hmmm. I have a hard time believing Oprah would knowingly sell clothes with her armpit stains. That is so tacky and condescending. For all that Oprah is, one thing I don't believe she is is oblivious to the working class.
I found your outlook on the sensationalistic enigma of the Oprah Winfrey Store incredibly interesting and understandable. As I have a blog that strives to analyze why the media condones the ridiculousness of celebrity culture, your opinions regarding The New York Times and its celebratory argument about the store is an ideal topic to cover. Oprah Winfrey’s ultimate grip over society never seems to wane in power, and quotes from store patrons are a testament to her unwavering ability to be a Messiah-like media figure. You mention that “to my surprise, the saddest article currently in The New York Times online edition has nothing to do with Africa or Iraq, but Oprah and Chicago,” a rather appalling, but truthful argument that The New York Times is also perpetuating and empowering Oprah’s cultural grip. After reading the article, I found the majority of it to be a one-sided, laudatory story on the positive aspects of Oprah’s latest business venture. It is unnerving, that an article concerning dazed, fanatical Oprah devotees and second-hand clothing can engender such disgust;I completely agree that the article is ridiculously saddening. But, as you mentioned, “the shop itself… is not the depressing part; its customers are.” I was appalled that Barbara Jean Hoy, a regular customer, passionately argued that: “When you go in there, you just feel great, like you are somebody, like Oprah is touching you.” According to Hoy, Oprah is more than just a mortal celebrity figure—she is God-like, and completely deserving of this bizarre kind of servitude. Hoy is even excited and “thrilled that her purchase showed slight underarm stains, proof positive that Ms. Winfrey’s underarms had been there,” according to the Times. But, in all fairness, how much can we really criticize a store than donates all of its proceeds to an educational charity? Despite the ultimate, depressing issue that Oprah recognizes that her belongings will generate excellent profits, isn’t this move a rather ingenious business maneuver, to convert her typical celebrity purchases like designer clothing and shoes into something more practical and benevolent? In any case, I must admit that Oprah should find less self-concerning avenues to make charitable societal contributions, perhaps one that is devoid of her underarm stains. Without question, the store empowers the “unstoppable Oprah machine”, and will definitely be a popular staple in the lives of Oprah fans.
I think everyone that has an opionion on this site yez… is a dick and has issues. Including me… so stuff you yo
I'd like to know if the store will magically open its doors after hours when customers come a'knocking. You know, like Hermes wouldn't for Oprah?
The Oprah is growing more powerful as we speak. If you continue to support her, she will be unstoppable.