~Monday, 26th November, 2018 Improvements on 'VOGUE' exam question:
This magazine uses an image of Beyonce as its main image. Beyonce is an African American female. It is thought to be unusual for anyone other than Caucasians to be used as the main image for the magazine. The use of Beyonce over the top of the masthead brings importance to her and signified her status as well as the change of thought towards African Americans in society, over time.
The sell lines are very noticeable and directly address the reader with convincing phrases relating to body figure and becoming somewhat like the model - Beyonce. The use of direct address helps the reader engage.
Direct address is also used in the main image with Beyonce making eye contact with us/the reader. Her mouth is slightly open and a lot of her chest is exposed with a bit of cleavage making the actual magazine more appealing
In terms of Mills Male Gaze Theory, by exposing her skin and using Photoshop (or not) to highlight areas of her skin for sharpness and making it glow allows her to be more sexually appealing.
By keeping the Male Gaze concept in mind, the way Beyonce is portrayed attracts African American/women of colour with aspirations, women who wish to be perceived like her as well as men since the concept claims that men will be more attracted if the women shown has certain qualities such as a figure, pose, makeup, etc.
Furthermore, by the use of an African American women, this magazine will receive a more diverse audience buying their magazine since Beyonce will attract a people like her; of colour. Also, they have gone against what a majority of magazines would do which is, use a Caucasian model and consequently, attracting more people.
Moreover, Beyonce could be the potential Princess or Hero in this case. She could be a princess because of the way she is presented; flattering. However, she could be the Hero because of the fact that she is on the magazine as it's not common for African American women to be featured on magazines. Therefore, she could be a Hero to women of colour who appreciate her.