Magazine Analysis: VOGUE

Magazine Analysis: VOGUE (Oct 13)

1. Consider the title. Why is it called that?
'VOGUE' is a French noun for the 'in trend' fashion or style at a particular time. It is also the French adjective for popular of fashionable. Thus, giving a potent idea of what the magazine entails - the latest fashions.

2. What connotations does the title have?
Being of French origin, 'VOGUE' suggests connotations of class - what the French are well known for. The word also tends to be spoken softly, adding to the idea of it being a word of high social status and class.

3. Who publishes the magazine?
VOGUE is published by Condé Nast Publications.

4. What other magazines does it publish?
Condé Nast Publications publish many other magazines following the theme of fashion. These include GLAMOUR,  BRIDES, Condé Nast College of Fashion and Design, and Vanity Fair.

5. Why do you think it is published as often as it is?

 

VOGUE is published once a month. I believe this is because any less, and the product would not be up-to-date. Fashions change very often, and seasonally and the magazine has to keep its readers up to date with changes. However, the magazines are very full (reaching to around 400 pages long); and any more regular, it would be impossible to fill with such enriched detail.

6. What is its circulation?
Approximately 220,000 copies of VOGUE are sold each month.

7. Does the magazine have a website?
Yes it does. http://www.vogue.co.uk/

8. What type of reader is it targeting?
VOGUE magazine is targeting mainly female readers from late teens to thirties. However, the magazine also plays a vital role in male readers and the audience of elder readers - not just for pleasure but designers, make up artists and fashion bloggers and interns.

9. How does the reader interact with the magazine?
The front cover features Alex Chung and advertises her 'Couture Adventure' which is found in the centre of the magazine across a double paged spread. She has been photographed to appear very abstract and feminine so people will be more likely to purchase the magazine. VOGUE advertises internally a range of web links - including Facebook pages, websites and twitter feeds - in order to keep readers up to date between issues.

10. Analyse the images on the front cover.
The front cover features a photograph of Alexa Chung in a white dress with brown accessories. She has been styled to look feminine but her body language is rather abstract - her arms are positioned slightly bent and at seemingly awkward angles in order to see her best features. She has been photographed in front of a matte beige backdrop, which makes her brown and white outfit stand out. The text has been positioned around her as to not detract an imbalance of attention from text to image. The majority of the  text is in a bold pink, small pieces are in black and white. These colours contrast without clashing.

11. What is featured in the magazine?
There are many things features in the magazine, many of which are advertised on the front. The main (middle) double-paged spread features the coverette feature - Alexa Chung and her couture adventure. The magazine also has a feature on 'fashion jargon', Winter essentials, this months 'in' colour - camel, an interview with Sergei Plunin (ballet star) and many advertisements.

12. Does it look similar to any other magazines?
British VOGUE holds a similar layout to other fashion magazines such as GLAMOUR and BRIDES. However, the internal content is extremely different. The similarities start and finish on the front cover - for example bold title at the top, one central image, and surrounding text advertising the content of the issue.

13. Does your magazine look expensive?
The VOGUE issue I am analysing (Oct 13) does not look as expensive or flamboyant as some of their previous issues -  perhaps due to the Season. This, however, is not meaning to say it looks tacky - it still shows it glamorous demeanour, simply without its 'exaggerated' pictorical aids.

14. How does it address its readers?
VOGUE only really addresses its readers in about 30% of its publication - as the majority of it is adverts. However, the cover includes words of welcome 'Breeze through autumn with our...' . Parts of the magazine that include Facebook links and twitter feeds make its readers feel a part of the magazine; being able to link up to their own personal accounts.

15. Identify who its adverts are aimed at?
Adverts in VOGUE are primarily aimed at fashion agencies, modelling agencies and designers. Thus being a result of them not being high-street labels and names - so the price tag will not be too affordable. However, some adverts in VOGUE (such as H&M) are aimed at the general reader, the student or the middle-class fashion-lover.

16. How do the models in the magazine relate to the audience?
The models in the magazine are there to inspire the reader - both by looking 'attractive' and also to persuade them to purchase the product. The models pictured are often photo-shopped and bearing a lot of make up, and are also dressed in the latest fashions and accessories.

17. How are men represented?
Men are represented no different to women in VOGUE. Although there are considerably less of them, they are pictured in the same manner as the women. Both sexes adorn make up and have been photo-shopped, and pictured in order to capture their most attractive features - those that will appeal to the reader the most.

18. What groups of people do not appear in the magazine?
On a relevant  note, high street fashion reps do not appear in VOGUE. There are a few of the higher-class high-street brands in the magazine, but you definitely would not see an article on Primark in VOGUE!

19. Analyse use of celebrities in your publication.
The majority of articles and photographs are of celebrities. These mainly include actresses, models and iconic people of their time - such as Lily Cole, Ellie Goulding and Audrey Hepburn. These celebrities are chosen in order to sell their magazine, and thus; their advertisements. For example, an iconic image such as that of Hepburn with her cigar and wine glass will sell something a lot more than the same advertisement with an image of woman in a tracksuit smoking a roll up; the latter is far less glamorous.

20. What other titles are in competition with this magazine?
Most other titles in competition with VOGUE are in leau of it; for example American and French VOGUE - they are the sisterhood of magazines. Other titles such as GLAMOUR and BRIDES - of a similar context, are all published by the same publishing firm; therefore it is not so much competition as a guidline for sales.