Magazines: The Gentlewoman - Language and Representations

FRONT COVER 

1.) The font used within the front cover is san serif which mirrors the brands modern aesthetic and values. However a serif font is also used which perhaps still links the brand to tradition and the social class behind the choices of the cover stars. Overall meaning that the brand has an independent modern take on traditional roles and ideals. 

2.) The magazine cover features saturated and vibrant colours which goes against stereotypical aesthetics of magazines covers meaning it stands out more compared to other more mainstream magazines, drawing in audiences from new areas. 

3.) The central image features a celebrity which drags in audiences attention due to her work within film: Scarlett Johansson. It is a close up shot with obscure editorial makeup which matches the bold border. The makeup seems to resemble some sort of retro aesthetic and reinforces feminine ideals since she is wearing an almost exaggerated style of makeup.

4.) Representations of gender and celebrity culture can be found in the front cover through the idea of women empowerment as the stars act as some what as a role model since their similar lifestyles are being reflected within the magazine. 

5.) Butlers gender as a "performance" could be applied towards the front cover since the concept of makeup could be seen as a costume you perform in, meaning that the action would be performing this role whilst the photoshoot for the magazine cover.

FEATURE: MODERN PUNCHES: 

1.) The feature Ramla Ali uses narrative to engage the audience by creating her character to be relatable by explains her backstory of living in a developing lower class of East London, equilibrium theory emphasises on her rise to fame from nothing. 

2.) One representation that is presented is through Ali's gender and ethnicity, as a woman who is a person of colour she subverts stereotypical representations of women by posing in activewear with little makeup.

3.) It rejects Butlers idea of gender being a "performance" since Ali is posed in a way that is natural to her and it also emphasises on the fact that GW wants to capture woman as they truly are.

FEATURE: ISABELLA TREE INTERVIEW:

1.) This feature is unconventional for a woman lifestyle magazine since it talks of environmental and political issues, emphasising on why it is important to care for the environment and educate yourself. 

2.) Tree's feature reflects the social/cultural context of a modern Britain through the fact that the middle class and upper class have the privilege to fund and develop evniromenal movements whilst lower class individuals can do nothing but follow. 

3.) The representations of nature can be found through the landscape imagery, tinted in a warm temperature which makes it seem more soft and inviting. 

FEATURE: STELLA MCCARTNEY AND VEGAN FASHION:

1.) The feature reflects modern social and cultural context since it shows that contemporary consumers have more awareness of environmental issues like animal produce and hides. However the use of a high end designer could also argue this is exclusive to those financially fortunate.

2.) The serif font is formatted boldly, contrasting GW's more modern approach to things it still uses a more traditional format whilst the sans serif claims their house aesthetic of modernism. 

3.) The photograph depicts Stella McCartney in an urban setting, perhaps offices, which could be representation that this particular item is more affordable and that lower classes would also be able to purchase it however it could also be seen as insensitive and as if the wealthy are roleplaying as the working class. 

REPRESENTATIONS: 

1.) Penny Martin, Gert Jonkers and Jop van Bennekom wanted to create a "long form journalism and a personality centred magazine that has equally eloquent imagery and graphic design". 

2.) GW uses representations of a modern women to emphasise on the power of independence through contemporary femininity as role models rather than the traditional ideal of what a woman is. 

3.) The GW cover stars have a diverse range of different women of all races, ages, looks and abilities, emphasising on the diversification of the magazine and how that all women no matter what limitations society may deem are capable of rising to fame and power. 

4.) The magazine holds a feminism view onto society, its developers and productions presenting how the media is constructed to entail certain codes in order to display ideologies that their readers would enjoy and relate to through their preferred readings. 

5.) GW provides memberships and inclusive events that you can be invited to which would emphasise on their engaging system where audiences can interact within events beyond the pages of the magazine.