“Women have sat indoors all these millions of years, so that by this time the very walls are permeated by their creative force, which has, indeed, so overcharged the capacity of bricks and mortar that it must needs harness itself to pens and brushes and business and politics.” Virginia Woolf, A room of one’s own, 1928
The compact offers something portable and discrete but rather than opening it up to look at a reflection and apply make up to continue the masquerade of femininity, Polly Pocket compacts contain miniature worlds that inspire play and possibility. Purposely female-dominated spaces that possibly appeal to creative pursuits – a cottage, townhouse, alpine chalet, school, beach house, jungle retreat, sewing room, theatre, ice rink, tea house, garden – or at least offer a space for reflection.
In lieu of a room of one’s own, they offer a symbol of the possibilities of such a room in miniature, of mental space for creating.