For a modern successful person, glossy magazines are a bottomless storehouse of useful and necessary information. The material contained in them allows you to always be aware of the latest global trends in any industry. Despite the fact that any information today is much faster and easier to find on the Internet, glossy magazines have not lost one iota. For many people, waiting for a fresh issue, buying it and reading it becomes a whole ritual. In general, fashion magazines can be divided into two types - men's and women's. Of course, there are a myriad of publications of a general theme, but it is fundamentally wrong to assume that a man will not pick up a female gloss, and vice versa.
What is interesting for women's magazines
Glossy magazines for ladies are considered to be the main source of useful tips. Honestly, such a publication is simply nice to leaf through at your leisure. Most often, questions are raised in them and the problems of the female part of the audience are considered, and the latest fashion trends are also highlighted.
Despite the fact that mainly women purchase them, glossy magazines for women can be considered a fiction for the whole family. On their pages you can find answers to all questions: how to create a unique and cozy style of your home, what to do with a naughty child, what color and style of dress is now in fashion, how to get a prestigious position and pass an interview with honor. The magazine cover immediately tells you everything that awaits you inside. Here they advise, train, help, educate.
A look into the past
Surprisingly, the very first glossy magazines appeared in Europe at the dawn of the XVII century. The very first of them did not contain almost any printed information at all and consisted only of fashionable pictures. However, such publications immediately gained incredible popularity. Indeed, that is how the ladies of that time learned about new trends and fashion trends.
The first fashion magazines of that time can hardly be called glossy. After all, they were published on poor-quality yellow and rough paper, and the pictures in them were simply painted by hand. Only much later, with the development of the printing industry, magazines took on the form that we used to call fashion gloss. It was during this period that the pictures were gradually replaced by photographs, first in black and white, and then in color. Only from the 30s of the last century, the pages of glossy magazines became the way we used to see them today - bright, shiny, colorful.
What was placed on the pages of the first editions? Of course, fashionable styles and stylish models: dresses, frock coats and top hats, jewelry and trinkets, umbrellas and hats. Then the first advertisement appeared in the magazine - haberdashery and shopkeepers were inviting new customers, assuring that only they had the most fashionable color or style. A little later, in addition to magazines devoted to fashion and stylish interior, publications began to appear, telling about the latest in literature, achievements in science and economics. Men preferred a more intellectual reading, while women paid tribute to fashion and style. As a matter of fact, little has changed since then ...
Ladies' gloss published in Russia
Today in Russia, as, indeed, in any other country in the world, one can purchase periodicals for every taste. Ladies' periodicals are very diverse, publishers offer these types of glossy magazines:
- about beauty and health - “Women's Health”, “About Health”, “Beauty & Health”, “Health Secrets”;
- for young girls - “Lisa. Girl ”,“ Young Lady ”, Elle Girl, OOPS !;
- for future and real mothers - “Lisa. My Baby ”,“ Shape Mom ”;
- family - “Peasant”, “Lisa”, “Women's magazine”, “Home”;
- Elite, international - Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Harper's Bazaar and others.
Of course, all of the above is just a fraction of the wide range of popular publications. In addition, there are women's magazines on interests: knitting, sewing, floriculture and a variety of needlework. Among them, the most popular are Sabrina, Burda, Mod, Lena and Hand Miracles.
Guiding star in the world of glamor
The women's glossy magazine Harper's Bazaar first saw the light of day in 1867. He became the first fashion periodical in the world. Initially, on the pages of the magazine, in addition to fashion trends, housekeeping tips and prescriptions for personal care products were printed. Over time, Harper's Bazaar stopped only on fashionable novelties, fresh trends in style.
The magazine gained immense popularity by 1936 and remained at its peak until 1962. It was at that time that the “magnificent four” worked in the publication: Karmal Snow, Irwin Penn, Alexey Brodovich and Diana Virland - an excellent editor who showed the world Andy Workhol. Today, this popular gloss is published in more than 27 countries around the world.
VOGUE - a supermode for the rich
The first issue of this superfashioned publication came out almost 125 years ago, in 1892, and immediately became one of the main guides in the world of style and fashion of that time.
The policy of the magazine has repeatedly changed, and the readership has narrowed and expanded. Some editors wanted to bring VOGUE closer to the people, while others, on the contrary, relied on the elite.
Today’s editor of the magazine, who has been heading him since 1988, positions this publication as the number 1 fashion magazine in the world. It was Anna Wintour who restored VOGUE to its former glory, showing that high fashion is available to everyone. With her arrival, the cover of VOGUE magazine was given to stars, not models. “Glamorous hangers” were no longer printed on its pages; preference was given to models that have natural forms.
It is not surprising that this stylish, beautiful, well-groomed and very influential woman became the prototype of one of the main characters in David Frenkel's film “The Devil Wears Prada”. How much truth is in the film, and how much fiction is hard to say. However, it is interesting that Anna Wintour herself, invited to the premiere, appeared in Prada, as befits a real devil.
Fashion riot - Cosmopolitan
It is interesting, but for the first time this publication was published as a home, family magazine. The first issue appeared in New York in 1886. There really was something to read. Jack London, Theodore Dreiser, Redyard Kipling and others were printed on its pages.
The style of the magazine changed in 1900, along with the change of editor-in-chief. Cosmopolitan now mainly published articles on topical issues. It was at this time that much attention was paid to posted illustrations. Since 1907, pages have been filled with images of refined beauties.
In 1965, on the verge of closure, the magazine again changed its editorial policy. Now it was a publication that focused on the interests of young independent girls who were not afraid to emphasize their sexuality.
The specifics of the men's magazine
Since almost all well-known glossy magazines are divided primarily by gender, the content of men's magazines is fundamentally different from what is present in periodicals for young ladies. Here in high esteem tips on proper sports nutrition, the latest in the world of cars, weapons and equipment. Unlike women's publications, social issues, subtleties of upbringing of the younger generation, and psychological problems are practically not addressed here. Advertising in the magazine for the stronger sex most often affects the fields of sports, technology and brand status accessories.
The sections most interesting to readers are about career, power, sports, business innovations. But probably the most read pages are about sex and relationships with the fair sex.
There are also narrow-profile, thematic magazines for men. The most popular are glossies on computer technology, technology, hunting and fishing, cars, design and architecture. A separate block presents professional publications.
Playboy - Legend Magazine
This most popular magazine with truly world-famous fame has been published since 1953. For many years, he has not lost his position in the ranking of the most popular publications in the world. Hugh Heffner became his ancestor, who managed to build the whole entertaining empire "18+". Thanks to Playboy, men of all ages were able to easily touch the world of beauty and sex. The pages of gloss were completely given to half-dressed "nymphs".
Over time, the magazine gained incredible popularity: to see your photo on its pages was revered for the honor of Pamela Anderson, Marilyn Monroe, Cindy Crawford, Elizabeth Taylor and many others. On the other hand, Heffner claims that he never positioned Playboy solely as a sexual publication. This is a magazine about life in which sex is an integral part.
At different times, interviews with celebrities and stories of popular writers: Stephen King, Arthur Clark, Stanislav Lem and others were published here. On the pages of Playboy, Fidel Castro, John Lennon, Martin Luther King and Yasser Arafat expressed their thoughts. Despite the rather serious topics that the magazine offers its readers, over the many years of its existence, Playboy has not lost its unique playful style with a touch of sexuality.
Men's Health
According to a large number of readers, Men's Health magazine is a truly men's publication, with its own unique style. According to readers, he is so good that does not leave other competitors even a chance for leadership.
The first issue of Men's Health was released in the USA in 1988 through the efforts of the publishing company Rodale. Specializing in health, the magazine, however, covers almost all areas of male interests. Today, this popular publication is published in 45 countries and has a readership of more than 22 million people.
Men's Health has been published in Russia since 1998 and has a circulation of a quarter of a million copies. The editors position their offspring as "... in general, the only men's magazine in the country." Here simple values ​​are promoted: a real man must be strong, decisive, healthy, smart, rich and successful. Well, who does not agree with this?
A potential reader of Men's Health is a young man living in the city. He is quite educated and follows fashion trends, is interested in new products in the field of technology, worries about his health, eats and goes in for sports properly, and is focused on a fast and successful career. All these qualities reflect and develop the headings of the publication. A special burden bears the name - Men's Health. A healthy lifestyle is the key to success in all life endeavors.
"Bear"
Compared with world famous publications, this magazine appeared not so long ago, in 1995, and immediately won the hearts of readers. The subject and content of its pages are more focused on middle-aged men. Since “Bear” positions itself as a magazine for the intellectual reader, its basis is articles on politics, business and finance. Also here you can see quality articles about health and cars. Despite the fact that the magazine has ceased to exist since 2011, electronic and PDF versions of past issues are still very popular on the Internet.
Esquire
The very name of the magazine, which can be compared with the famous word "gentleman", speaks for itself. The audience of Esquire magazine is men who not only understand what style is, but also appreciate it in others.
Here you will be offered interesting interviews with different celebrities, high-quality photos and thoughts about the eternal. What is definitely not here is gossip and rumors - this is not suitable for gentlemen.
The first issue was published in the USA in 1933, and already in 1937 the monthly circulation increased to one and a half million copies. The first issue of the Russian edition was presented to the public in April 2005. Since then, Russian Esquire has regularly shocked its readers with scandalous headlines and publications.
L'optimum
The magazine for those who follow the fashion. In this regard, L'OPTIMUM - the announcement of news and new products. The publication was created in France in 1996, but who better understands fashion trends than the French? L'OPTIMUM is a magazine for those who value style and luxury in everything, understand brands and brands, and know firsthand what real art is.
Here you can see the latest achievements of the automotive industry and high-tech, read the opinions of famous businessmen and politicians, fashion figures of art and culture. There is a special attitude here to sports, especially to its elite types, which allow not only to maintain good shape, but also to emphasize your status.
People
This magazine is one of the prominent representatives of the periodical press, professing a policy of gender equality. It’s impossible to rank People weekly as either male or female — it is for everyone. Published since 1974, it specializes in news and scandals from the life of stars. People gained the greatest fame thanks to the annual ratings, in which new nominations sound every time. Of the most popular: “The sexiest man”, “The most beautiful people in the world”, “The sexiest women” and so on.
The world circulation of the publication is about 4 million copies, and the readership has long exceeded 45 million people.