Why Vogue Magazine Remains at the Top of the Pile - Case Study Example

of Vogue Magazine Introduction Vogue is a fashion magazine which embraces style, culture and promotes sophisticated lifestyle for millions of readers; it has been doing this for the past 115 years. This magazine is a high society paper that has reflected the modern women during all time periods. Vogue encourages changes due to this. Every month this magazine comes up with a new attitude, emotion, and addresses new topics for fashion, life and design. It is due to such fashion magazines that the world’s fashion industry has reached new heights. Vogue not only deals with fashion tips but it is now a communication channel between the public and the media. Vogue is today’s most likely and readable magazine and due to this it was described as “the world’s most influential fashion magazine by book critic Caroline Weber” in New York Times in 2006 Company’s History In December, 1892, Arthur B. Tumure a socialite published the first New York social Gazette; Vogue. Vogue is a Conde Nast Publication and it issues its publications in twenty three countries. Since its inauguration, this magazine has focused on the high society men and women. Vogue magazine originally was not a fashion magazine instead it focused on men sports, traditions of high society, reviewed books, plays, music, discussed the societies’ etiquettes of time, and only mentioned fashion at the time of wearing suitable outfits on an occasion. Two regular famous articles at that time were “as seen by Him” and “of interest to Her”. Vogue in its introductory stage did not believe in advertising and promotional strategies; due to this the wealthy stakeholders were bearing loss (Hill, 6-10). But in 1909 when Arthur Baldin Died, Conde Nast took over the magazine and changed the whole structure of the magazine slowly and gradually. With Conde’s take-over, the magazine started flourishing. Nast changed the magazine to biweekly publications and also made it globally successful by first launching it in Britain then later in France. Vogue Magazine success was so likeable that even during the Depression era its sales did not drop. With the help of Diana Vreeland; editor in chief, more changes were brought in the magazine. New issues were highlighted and discussed openly, contemporary fashion was promoted and top models Twiggy and Penelope Tree were featured during this time. Finally, Vogue had become so familiar that public’s inclination towards the magazine increased and due to this, publication became monthly in 1973. In 1988 when Anna Wintour took over as editor in chief, her powerful nature brought new changes in the magazine. She created a wider target market, built a new repute, prestige and brought new success for the magazine. Vogue Magazine strongly believed in revolutionizing; and due to her efforts Vogue was the first magazine to portrait a women wearing denim jeans. But its changes are not always welcomed, as in 2000’s it faced tough times as well. In 2007, when Vogue placed an advertisement for tobacco in the magazine, anti-smoking group “Campaign foe Tobacco Free Kids” protested against the magazine and 8000 responses were made against the advertisement. Even in 2008, when Lebron James and Super model Gisele Bundchen were featured on the cover, the magazine was faced with huge critics. Despite certain shortcomings, Vogue has set a trade mark for the rest of the magazines, and thus today, this magazine stands as governing the fashion industry all over the world. Today this magazine not only deals with the best top designers such as Micheal Kors, Karl Lagerfeld and Marc Jocobs, but is reflecting and publishing new stories on new topics. Due to these innovations I highly appreciate and look forward to the issues of Vogue Magazine. In March 2009, this magazine set a new appearance, Michelle Obama on its cover page making ‘Vogue a celebration of women, culture and style of the ever-changing world’ (Wrenn). Today Vogue is acting as the fashion setter in the fashion industry and this magazine has not only maintained its position as No.1 but this magazine has earned a lot of respect and repute since its origination that people of all ages value and demand the prestigious magazine. These efforts have lead to the high liking of Vague Magazine, not only we as students appreciate but others have equal fondness towards it. Accomplishments and Success In Projects Vogue has achieved success in all its projects so far, since its first edition in 1987 till today all of them are always appreciated. Except certain controversial issues, such as 2007, tobacco issue and 2008 Lebron James and Super model Gisele Bundchen feature all the others are highly appraised. Vogue has not been operating instead Vogue’s Various Projects have complimented its success. Vogue is mostly known for the fashion world in the women’s circle, but Vogue has diversified its audience and started catering to the men in the society as well. Due to this in 2005, Men Vogue was launched by Conde Nast which featured the men fashion industry. Apart from fashion world, Vogue caters well to the projects of Living, entertainment, travel and Home decoration. Vogue publishes magazines in different parts of the world under different issues and versions. An American version of ‘Vogue living’ was launched in late 2006, while already an Australian version existed. Currently there are different projects working under Conde Nast publication in different countries, such as “Teen Vogue”; a magazine for teen age girls in United States, “Vogue Girl” magazine in South Korea and Australia targeting the younger female generation. “Vogue Hommes International” is a men’s fashion magazine in Paris, France. “Luomo Vogue” is an Italian version for men; other than that “Vogue Casa” and “Bambini Vogue” are some other Italian version of Vogue. In 2007 in October, Vogue launched a new project Vogue India which has featured Bipasha Basu and Priyanka Chopra on the cover; the leading actresses of the Indian cinema. Every project that Vogue has started, it has faced with huge success and it is due to its innovative strategies that today this company has reached the top. With these accomplishments that the magazine has, students like us, professionals and others have always given preference to Vogue Magazine as compared to others. Competitive Market Vogue is at the top of the market in the press media and this magazine alone accounts for the largest target market. I highly admire this magazine because it satisfies all the age groups who are interested in fashion, style and culture. Further, Vogue deals with a lot of topics as it has published writing on art, culture, politics and ideas. Even though there is no comparison to the Vogue magazine considering its century experience but still Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar, W and ELLE are the key competitors of Vogue magazine. All these competitors are competing Vogue as a women magazine and they focus on style, fashion, lifestyle and attitude. While, as mentioned earlier Vogue, besides dealing with fashion in respect to women only, is also catering the other demographic segments now; such as homes, entertainment, travel, and living. According to Alexendra Shulman, the current editor in Vogue does not regard any competitor of Vogue because she states in her interview that “Vogue is in a league of its own”. Further she states that there are basically no direct competitors of Vogue; there may be occasional national newspaper or other monthly magazines but all these have no comparison to what Vogue produces (Davies, 1). Job Opportunity in Vogue Magazine Vogue Magazine is an ideal place today for not only fashion freaks but other individuals as well that require a healthy and handsome living. Not only me but all over the world celebrities are also striving to get a work share in the publications of Vogue Magazine. Vogue requires dedicated, hard working employees who can manage and handle tough times, especially when Wintour is acting as an active participant. For the outer world, Wintour is real effective and successful but as an employer she is a real tough and hard. Working and managing things with her is a very difficult task, especially when it comes to satisfying her. Even when an employee makes a lot of effort, he would not receive open recognition and appraisal from her. But still people strive hard to get a job in Vogue Magazine. Getting a job in Vogue Magazine is a real tough job, and to get into Vogue magazine one should be highly Skilled in its respective field. It may be photography, manager, writer or designer but one has to be creative in all respects. If I get employed in Vogue magazine I would have to work for twenty four hours and show extreme responsibility in my work. Even though the job will require tension at work but still a larger population is attracted to their jobs because it gives an individual learning scope, and becomes real effective in reaching deadlines. The extra benefits, e.g. media participation, fashion shows, and big salary are the most eye-catching moments in this field, which not only attracts me but others as well. Vogue work is admired by all ages because of its grace, unique topics, and its critics on the fashion industry celebrities. This magazine makes one remain up-to-date and is a perfect tool for entertainment. If I would have to produce a project for Vogue, I would either conduct a market search for its competitors or write a report on the social related topic. Social topics such as wild life management, human racism and discriminations that are practiced today even after so much awareness. Contact Information Contacting Vogue magazine can be done through emailing them on their respective email addresses. If any body wants to contact the Vogue for editorial department they would have to send an email to their editorial department at vogue.com.editor@condenast.co.uk. While if any one needs technical assistance then they have to mail them at condonet.technical@condenast.co.uk. For contacting commercial department, mail at Sharon.Ireland@condenast.co.uk, while to contact the magazine itself sent an email to Nina at Nina.Godfrey@condenast.co.uk. For applying in Vogue.com all applicants are advised to send their CV along with their cover letter to EM Ziadi, 25 Maddox Street, London, W1s 2 QN. While to apply for work experience at Vogue Magazine applicants are supposed to send their CV and Cover letters to Frances Bentley, Managing Editor, Vogue Magazine, Vogue House, Hanover Squash, London, W1S 1JU. REFERENCES Denial Delis Hill, As seen in Vogue: A century of America Fashion In Advertising; pp9-12. Deneen L. Brown, 2009. Michelle Obama To Grace Cover of Vogue Magazine. Washington Post Staff Writer. Web. December 15, 2009 from http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/10/AR2009021001579.html Laura Davies, 2009. Why Vogue Magazine Remains at the Top of the Pile. PR Week. Web. December 15, 2009 from http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/904692/Why-Vogue-magazine-remains-top-pile/ Rebbece Wrenn, 2009. The Story Of Vogue Magazine. Suite 101. Web. December 15, 2009 from http://womensfashion.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_story_of_vogue_magazine Read More