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

Screen 7 of 9

The introduction of color film on The Avengers marked the greatest change in style for the show. The temptation was to exaggerate color. Emma Peel’s wardrobe reflected this change. The leather became almost obsolete. The new “Emma-look” consisted of a stretch jersey fabric, often in contrasting colors, tight to the ankle with a large zip running the length of her body. These costumes are the most representative of her identity because they reveal her intellectual, feline and athletic qualities.

Her appeal and relevance throughout the forty years since her first appearance in leather catsuit连体紧身衣 — a tight suit that covers the whole body and fencing mask is a fascination for many who wish to define her as one thing or another. To some, she is an icon of sexuality; fetish恋物 — a strong sexual focus on one thing, perversion, domination and physical beauty, to others, she is an icon of late twentieth century feminism, and to the rest, Emma Peel is simply a definition of 1960’s cool and kitsch.

Her timeless appeal made her an icon of the twentieth century, as important as Marilyn Monroe and Catwoman. Emma Peel is a feminist icon. The character is cited as a pioneer of the modern television woman. She is by far and away the original action woman of television and originated many characteristics we associate with Emma Peel and her modern counterparts.