The Gentlewoman - Audience and Industries

 1) Media Magazine feature: Pleasures of The Gentlewoman

Go to our Media Magazine archive and read the article on The Gentlewoman (MM84 - page 34). Answer the following questions:

1) What does the article suggest is different about the Gentlewoman compared to traditional women's magazines? 

The Gentlewoman challenges the conventions of traditional women's magazines such as Vogue, Elle and Cosmopolitan.Its covers are minimalist with very little text,lots of blank space and a portrait-style central image.Traditional magazines use lots of cover lines,bright colours and large uppercase typography to interest an audience.

2) What representations are offered in the Gentlewoman? 

-Spectrum of womanhood

-Women of different ages, races and backgrounds

-Challenges traditional gender stereotypes and gender performativity

-Represents women as successful,creative and independent 

3) List the key statistics in the article on the average reader of the magazine. 

-85% female,15% male

-61% are aged 28–46

-47% are in the A/B social categories

-Average income is approximately £87,000

4) What is The Gentlewoman Club? 

It is an international society/community of readers who are interested in high-quality cultural experiences. Members can attend events and meet other people with similar interests.

5) What theorists does it suggest we can apply to the Gentlewoman's club?

-Jenkins due to fan and participatory culture

-Gauntlett because audiences use media to construct and express their identities

-Baudrillard since the Club can be seen as constructing an idealised reality for its audience

6) What does the writer of article suggest they are getting out of their relationship with the magazine?

-An insight into fashion and celebrity culture

-Information about social and cultural trends

-Cultural entertainment and interaction

7) Who are the team behind the magazine?

The magazine has a small influential team with creators Gert Jonkers and Jop van Bennekom playing a key role.Penny Martin is the editor-in-chief.

8) How does the Gentlewoman use their website and social media to promote the magazine? 

The website acts as an advertisement for the magazine providing content for audiences to become interested while encouraging them to buy the physical product.Social media extends the brand beyond the biannual print magazine and helps maintain a relationship with audiences throughout the year.

9) What are the 'creative collaborations' in the magazine? How do they 'spill over into real life'?

They are forms of native advertising where brands work with The Gentlewoman's writers and photographers to promote products in the magazine's distinctive editorial style.They "spill over into real life" because collaborations can lead to special Club events for readers.

10) How does the article sum up the audience pleasures of the Gentlewoman? 

Personal identity-People can relate to the fashion within the magazine or celebrities

Personal Relationships-People may feel a connection with Penny Martin

Diversion-People read the magazines to escape from reality

Surveillance-People become educated about fashion and celebrity culture

2) The Gentlewoman Media kit

Look through The Gentlewoman's Media Kit and answer the following questions:

1) How does the Media Kit introduce the magazine?

It presents The Gentlewoman as a high-quality,modern women's magazine focused on fashion, culture,photography and inspirational women.It highlights its distinctive editorial style,successful covers,awards,collaborations and international audience.

2) On the 'Digital' page, what different sections of the website are there and how do these offer opportunities for audience engagement and interaction? 

Magazines-Help readers see new issues and purchase a subscription

Club-Allows readers to join a community and attend events

Collaborations-Displays partnerships

Shop-People can purchase magazines

3) What are the audience demographics for The Gentlewoman?

-85% female

-15% male

-22% aged 18–27

-61% aged 28–46

-11% aged 47–55

-6% aged 56+

-76% ABC1

-47% AB

4) What is The Gentlewoman Club and what does it offer readers?

It is an international society of readers who are interested in quality and originality in cultural events.Members can receive newsletters and invitations to Club events including talks,tours, parties and cultural experiences

3) D&AD Award Winner feature

Read this short D&AD advertising agency award feature on The Gentlewoman. Answer the following questions:

1) How is the magazine described?

It is described as a publication for "modern women of style and purpose" that offers a fresh and intelligent perspective on fashion

2) What does it say about the content and design of The Gentlewoman?

-Focuses on personal style and how women actually look,think and dress

-Contains ambitious journalism

-Uses high-quality photography

-Celebrates inspirational women

3) How are the readers described?

Confident,intelligent,stylish

4) Business of Fashion website feature 

Read this Business of Fashion feature on The Gentlewoman - the magazine that is also a club. 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 events are listed as part of The Gentlewoman Club?

-Walking tour

-Architecture tours

-Dance parties

-Film screenings

-Talks and cultural events

2) Why does it suggest the magazine has managed to 'cut through the clutter'?

It offers something different from mainstream women's magazines.Its intelligent approach to fashion,high-quality photography and focus on interesting women gives it a strong identity

3) How are Gentlewoman Club tickets given out? 

The Club is free to join but spaces at individual events are limited.Members sign up for events and places are selected/allocated rather than everyone automatically receiving a ticket

4) What does the article say about The Gentlewoman's relationship with its audience? 

It describes the relationship as symbiotic and non-corporate.The magazine doesn't simply produce content for passive consumers because it creates opportunities for readers to participate and meet each other

5) Why are Club events valuable from a digital perspective? 

They give the magazine content to share between its two annual print issues.Events can be photographed and shared online/social media keeping the audience engaged throughout the year and strengthening the relationship between the audience and the brand

5) Website and social media research

1) Visit The Gentlewoman's website. How does it promote the magazine? 

-Current issue features

-Cover images

-Articles and profiles

-Links to buy/subscribe

-The Library of previous profiles

-Collaborations

-Club content and events

-Shop merchandise

2) Visit the magazine page of the website. How much of the magazine is available to view online? Is this a smart marketing technique to sell print copies or is it giving content away for free? 

The website provides selected content rather than simply reproducing the entire print magazine.This is a smart marketing technique because readers get enough material to understand the magazine's style and quality while the physical magazine remains trendy

3) Look at The Gentlewoman's Twitter feed. What content from the magazine or Club events can you find on there? 

-Extracts from magazine features

-Photographs from shoots

-New issue announcements

-Profiles of featured women

-Club event information

-Images and updates from events

-Links directing audiences towards the website

4) Go to The Gentlewoman's Instagram page. How does it encourage the audience to engage with the magazine? 

-Attractive fashion photography

-Short extracts from articles

-Behind-the-scenes imagery

-Videos/reels

-New issue announcements

-Club event photographs

-Collaborations with brands

-Links/calls to explore the website or magazine

5) What representations of fashion and gender can you find on their Instagram page? 

Gender is represented through a wide range of women,including different ages,ethnicities,professions and styles.The magazine also challenges traditional feminine stereotypes through androgynous fashion and representations of women as powerful,creative and independent.