I want to create a magazine cover that follows the layout of the Gentlewoman. I want this to feature Amelie Fitzpatrick. She is an aspiring fashion designer that is determined to change societies perspectives towards ways in which women must present themselves. The issue I have chosen to address is the dehumanisation of women to mere objects with the only purpose is to look a certain way to portray themselves sexually towards men and other active lookers.
I have chosen to use Amelie Fitzpatrick on the front cover of my magazine as this is a topic she, as well as I, feel extremely passionate towards. This feature will be evident as I will include her full name, as a model credit, in a white and sharp font underneath the main image. I have decided to portray Amelie Fitzpatrick as a person which challenges societies norms and expectations of women to put our views, that gender is fluid and experimentative, across to my audience. In doing so, I will have her wear a suit, have her hair in a low bun and have he wearing no makeup. This representation goes against what other perceive as feminine as this will portray her in a more masculine light. This sort of challenging topic and representation of my magazine cover closely follows the style of The Gentlewoman. This front cover will not only be used to promote my work but also help to promote this ongoing social issue.
The overall aesthetic of the magazine cover will provide a variety of opportunities for audience engagement, as described by the ‘Uses and Gratification’ theory. My target audience is primarily women who are experimentative with their femininity and that are innovative and open minded. However, this promotional style can be directed to all people of any gender, sexual orientation, and age. This is because, even though my issue will focus more on women representations, it can encourage all sorts of people to venture outside societies ‘norms.’ The challenging and dark atmosphere will offer people opportunities for diversity. At the same time, it will allow my viewers to pave their ways to self-identity, for example, the willingness for them to experiment with their style as well as realising that gender is fluid. This links to Laura Mulvey’s theory that gender is subject to change, and I would like my magazine cover to influence people in helping them find their true selves. My target audience will lean toward reformer personality type however it could also appeal to succeeder personality type.
My mode of address will be kept quite formal I have decided to do this to keep a more serious tone to my magazine cover. This is to address the serious topic that I have chosen to represent in my cover- female self-discovery and freedom. I want to have my photograph in black and white. This creates a more formal register towards my audience. This formal register and more serious tone will appeal to my target audience.
