Magazines: The Gentlewoman - Language and Representations

 Gentlewoman front cover 

1) What do the typefaces used on the front cover suggest to an audience?
its in all lowercase and is in sans serif which gives it a modern look, suggesting it doesnt want to stand out much.
2) How does the cover subvert conventional magazine cover design?

There are no cover lines and has a vibrant colour scheme which differs from the typical lifestyle magazine.

3) Write an analysis of the central image.
Make up could have possible sci-fi connotations, low angle shot and direct address, eye contact creates empowering representation.
4) What representations of gender and celebrity can be found on this front cover?

It could reinforce the female stereotypes of make up but subverts stereotypes of being submissive or weak through an empowering direct address to the audience with her eye contact.

5) What gender and representation theories can we apply to this cover of the Gentlewoman? 

Feature: Modern Punches

1) How does the feature on Ramla Ali use narrative to engage the audience? Apply narrative theories here.

Narrative helps provide a diversion and personal identification with Ramlas story as some may relate to her situation. Also Propps theory helps portray Ramala as the hero as shes influential to women and breaks stereotypes of women not being involved with sport.

2) What representations can you find in this feature - both interview and image?

Where Ramala talks about how she feels like total tomboy could be a reflection of Butlers as the idea of a tomboy is a social construction.

3) What representation theories can we apply to the Modern Punches feature? 
Medhurst, Hooks and Butler

Feature: Isabella Tree interview

1) Why is this feature unconventional for a women's lifestyle and fashion magazine? Comment on the use media language in these pages. 

It is unconventional as the page dose not cover any fashion or lifestyle choices instead providing a pro environment stance.

2) How does the Isabella Tree feature reflect the social and cultural contexts of contemporary Britain? Think about AQA's discussion of lifestyle, environmental issues and ethical movements.

Socially people are much more concerned about their environment and how it will affect our future and also how Britian has previously made major impacts on the environment through events such as the industrial revolution.

3) What representations of nature can be found in this feature?
Nature is seen as a larger priority than majority of people.

Feature: Stella McCartney and vegan fashion

1) How does this feature reflect contemporary social and cultural contexts?

It reflects contemporary fashion through the idea that change is a good thing, and also how there is value from authenticity in how messy something is.

2) Comment on the typography and page design in this feature.

Its a very simple and minimalistic which is highlighted through its contrasted sizes from pages 128 and 129.

3) What representations can be found in the image accompanying this feature? 
removes the idea of an upper class environment with the boarded up door in the background.

Representations

Read this Business of Fashion interview with The Gentlewoman editor Penny Martin. If you don't want to sign up to the website (free) then you can access the text of the article on Google Drive here (you'll need your Greenford Google login). Answer the following questions: 

1) What type of magazine did Penny Martin, Gert Jonkers and Jop van Bennekom want to create? 

“At that time, we felt there was a dearth of intelligent perspectives on fashion and there wasn't really a fashion magazine for actual readers. I guess you could say that there are a few more magazines like us now. But when we started, many magazines had the visual right, or had the text right, but very few managed to reconcile the two. I think that’s very difficult — to produce long-form journalism and a personality-centred magazine that has equally eloquent imagery and graphic design.”

2) What representations of modern women did they try to construct for the magazine?

This practical and modern approach is reflected in The Gentlewoman's overall editorial point of view, which, according to Martin, begins with the woman and not the product. "I'm interested in what [The Gentlewoman] tells you about how modern women live, from the way they drink, dance, drive and speak to the way they sign their letters or conduct their divorces. We make sure that the magazine is not just a pornography of product that is supposedly interesting to women.

3) What examples of cover stars reflect the diversity in the magazine's content? 

Cover stars have ranged from 88-year-old actor Angela Lansbury, shot in a peach silk blouse and Terry Richardson's black frame glasses, to popstar Beyoncé, looking calm, strong and composed in Dior with a face free of make-up. Meanwhile, on the inside, The Gentlewoman has profiled a wide range of women at the top of their game, including gardeners, entrepreneurs, novelists, artists and news anchors.

4) What is Penny Martin's view on feminism and whether the magazine is feminist?

Martin is often asked about her publication's stance on feminism. "When people ask me about politics or feminism, I say that it isn't a magazine about those things, it's a magazine informed by those things — among others. Is it a feminist magazine? Well, it's made by feminist people, so what do you think?! But I don't want to make those values and principles fashionable, because I don't want to undermine them by turning them into an aesthetic and I don't want them to pass into the realm of the unfashionable.

5) Look at the end of the article. How does the Gentlewoman help readers construct or reflect their identity by engaging with events and spaces beyond the magazine? 

The recently formed Gentlewoman Club which extends the magazine's brand into physical events where readers can interact and chat with editors. "We're starting to develop our website as a kind of portal for real things to happen rather than a bogus virtual community with likes and message boards. I am so not interested in that. I think that's over."