Bazaar is an American magazine released monthly targeted towards those who can have casual but also coutoure fashion. First published in 1867 in New York City, we see each month a release of content containing about fashion and lifestyle. Primarily the target audience is females aged late 20’s-60s who enjoy travelling and luxury experiences.
The aspirer: Bazaar is a high fashion magazine, therefore materialistic.
Response and opinions on appearance: it’s a fashion magazine.
Appearance over personality.
Status: Big luxury fashion magazine, longest running.
Bazaar’s front covers remain remotely the same, the masthead in bold letters at the top with Harper inbetween the two A’s with one model and numerous cover lines. The models of these covers are often celebrities and have them posed in a mid or a close up shot. In bold on many, if not most , of the covers of Bazaar is always the key word “Fashion.” Immediately it identifies the brand of Bazaar being a fashion magazine.
This cover of Bazaar features famous model Bella Hadid on the cover in a mid shot pulling a neutral face with smokey eye makeup and a dressy expensive outfit. From this immediately we can tell the magazine is targeted towards those more expensive and classy, willing to spend more money on an occasional outfit.
Whilst their target audience is an older generation, there is an attempt here to broaden it by mentioning “rewriting the age old rules,” talking to a more youthful audience interested in fashion.
The “fashion magazine of the year” title below the masthead is an impressive inclusion on selling a believable trust worthy brand to those unaware of magazines.
The colours all match one another so the cover doesn’t seem so overbearing, likewise there is fewer cover lines so the page has information but it’s not packed nor full or messy.
Bazaar’s double page spread genuinely have a focus on the visual element, keeping atleast 50% minimum a photo of the model or subject. The models will always be figures of authority or status unless it’s those rising to fame. The page with font and copy on is commonly white with black font surrounding either one or multiple photos (excluding this one with Madonna.)
Like Vogue, Bazaar also starts with a huge letter known as the Drop Capital to capture the readers attention to the first word and the actual narrative or story of the spread.
Like the front cover, the model is shot in a mid shot noting aspects of not only facial beauty but also her fashion and clothing.
The story of the spread mentions Madonna’s love life, provocative motives and spiritual interests. It tells the story of a famous figure bringing her a bit more to reality and to have some relatability or a relationship with the consumers of the magazine. The quote “Yes i like to provoke” alongside the daring image of Madonna in a low cut, bust enhancing dress give off the impression of this provocative nature of Madonna which could either be harmful for her reputation or infact the opposite, a motivation for women to express and sexualise themselves for the benefits or the “9 out of 10 times” Madonna had a reason for it.
The Harper’s Bazaar youtube channel has videos that bring entertainment and inside scoop on celebrities lives: from their skincare or nighttime routines to other videos such as food diaries, consumers are welcomed to learn more about fashion and lifestyle in a video format. The Bazaar channel is famously known for their series “Go to bed with me” which has over 4 seasons and visits celebrities, uprising stars and models in the bathroom doing skincare before going to bed. They often make the consumers feel closer to the celebrities through the chance of relatability.
This video in particular follows famous kpop singer Somi, through her nighttime skin care routine. She acts as a friend to the audience offering both advice and conversation.
When using the Harper Bazaar website you are introduced to a black and white minimalistic screen, the only colour is held in the photos and the triple line menu bar. Instantly we are sent on the US version of the website.
As a fashion and beauty magazine, you could predict the first section to be fashion, not only is it a tagline above but it’s also the first section after scrolling.
Within each section, it shows 4 recent stories and articles within the subject. The key 3 sections are Fashion, Beauty and Icons 2022 before turning into more of an advertisement by having a shopping section. Within the shopping section it shows sales and weather associated outfits for each season, each linking to named products.
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