Emma Peel (Excerpts from “Emma Peel - feminist icon” by Elizabeth Eggleston)

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As we have seen, Emma Peel was very much of her time and is perceived as a cult icon by many. She is firmly rooted in her 1960s timeframe and was essentially a woman of her time, popular because of her clothes and confidence. Mrs Peel has feminist appeal thanks to her inconceivable intelligence and physical strength. She could fight men but remain graceful and unflustered. She could write essays on a multitude of subjects whilst sculpting in her spare time.

The fact it is hard to forget about Emma Peel, is that much of her appeal stems from her wardrobe, which was an endless source of fascination at the time and remains so in the twenty-first century. The popularity of the catsuit连体紧身衣 — a tight suit that covers the whole body and its direct association with The Avengers has led to it becoming a symbol of Emma Peel and of her character. It is a powerful image and one that inspires confidence and power in modern women.

The relevance of Emma Peel today is stronger than it was in the 1960s as women have more confidence in being independent. Mrs Peel is no longer unique and has been equalled by other, real women with greater achievements. However in a world where fashion and television have merged to become our main sources of information and inspiration, Emma Peel has become an enduring female cultural icon and has doubtless inspired modern equivalents.

“I was the woman and she was the man”–Patrick Macnee, 1993.