Very Important People: Status and Beauty in the Global Party Circuit

Very Important People: Status and Beauty in the Global Party Circuit by Ashley Mears

There is a "super rich people" party circuit that goes around New York and other key areas of the world. To help run this, promoters help bring "girls" into the clubs. The girls must be young, tall, skinny and good looking. They should preferably be models, though occasionally "civilians" that meet the criteria are ok. Having a lot of girls help the clubs attracted more rich men. The men are encouraged to engage in ridiculous conspicuous consumption. The clubs usually have an "it" lifespan of only a few years. Though they may stay around afterwards basking on their past glory and attracting tourists. The promotors get to schmooze with the rich and famous and think of them as friends. However, the rich think of them as service staff. For the girls, they are typically provided some reciprocal benefits by the promoter (such as free meals, club entry, and even places to live and rides.) Models are typically independent contractors and this party circuit is one of the few ways they can make ends meet. They get some opportunities to hob nob with the rich and sometimes travel the world. However, their life is not super great, and their expiration date usually comes in the late 30s, with most having little long term relationship. They don't want to get paid for what they do because that makes it feel more like a job. The prostitutes and those that are paid occupy a lower level in this whole rent-a-friend culture. I guess if people like partying, getting involved in a way to do it for free may feel nice as long as they know what they are getting into.