Vanity Fair originally meant “a place or scene of ostentation or empty, idle amusement and frivolity”. However, today it symbolizes an empire. Vanity Fair was initially a short-lived, Manhattan-based, humorous weekly. Then in the U.K., it turned into a publication known for its witty prose and its caricatures of men of privilege. In 1913, Condé Nast bought the rights to the name and introduced a new hybrid journal, Dress & Vanity Fair. The magazine usually has movie or music stars on the cover, with an interview inside promoting their new film or music; Vanity Fair is a great way for stars to promote their latest project.
From the 4Cs model, Aspirers would be most likely to be apart of the Vanity Fair viewership. Much like a previous magazine cover I analysed, Vanity Fair is also a big promoter of femininity, dressing a familiar celebrity (Kristen Stewart, known for her roles in Twilight and Charlie's Angels) in a hot pink blazer with a solid pink colour in the background. The fame of actress Kristen Stewart boosts Vanity Fair's reputation as it is clear they can work with celebrities who are prestigious in Hollywood. This connotation of femininity highlights the target audience of young women. The black masthead stands out against the pink background, making it eye catching and recognisable.
The Vanity Fair website is busy with several articles and different topics displayed on the front, proving the magazine doesn't have to stick to one main genre. There are several celebrity articles including recognisable names, and even a few articles including politicians such as Donald Trump and Joe Biden. It seems like American politics is a reoccurring topic for Vanity Fair, although they don't have a political bias and often report on the news as though it is gossip to their viewers. Furthermore, the design is simplistic with neutral colours which makes it easy to understand and follow, even it is full of content and makes the page seem extremely busy.