The Draper effect

A library copy of RS, April 11, 2013 

I'm trying to figure out what's the appeal of ultimate ad-man, Don Draper. It's obvious on one level: tall, dark and handsome. On another level it's about the attitude behind the eye. Where does that attitude come from...? 

Maybe when you're that good looking women (and men) are so nice to you all the time you end up reflecting nice back. Perhaps it's just a reflection. In that case sex appeal is the appeal to something in us that we see reflected in the other. Don Draper reflects - well let's be honest - my skin colour. That's a reflection. As well it's the hair. Black. That's not a reflection. As a child I always wanted to look like Snow White (when I looked more like blonde Heidi). Don Draper is men's answer to Snow White; that's his appeal. 

Mirror, mirror...