Tatler CSP case study

 1) Look at the Tatler Media Pack. Go to page 2: how does the editor introduce the magazine?

The editor presents Tatler as a sensationally accurate rifle shot to the wealthy people and that their readers love to shop for expensive clothing.

2) Now go to page 4 of the Media Pack. Focus on the print magazine (NOT tatler.com - the website). List the key demographic details: age, gender %, ABC1 % (social class), HHI (Household Income), % of those living in London and the South East. What do these demographic details suggest about the average Tatler reader?

These demographic details suggest that the average Tatler reader:

Average age: 41, 73% female, ABCI: 83%, Average HHI: £261,672, London/SE: 70%

3) Look at page 6. What do Tatler readers think about fashion? How much do they spend?

Tatler readers think that if you want to be classified as "posh" you should own a lot of designer clothes, shoes and accessories as most of the Tatler readers do. Tatler readers also say they often buy fashion products after seeing them being advertised in magazines. Tatler readers spend £843 million pounds on fashion.

4) Go to page 10. What are the special editions of Tatler that run throughout the year? What does this suggest about the Tatler audience? What about the pyschographic audience group that best fits Tatler?

Special editions of Tatler that run throughout the year include: travel,weddings,cosmetic surgery, spa, jewellery and school guides. This suggests that the Tatler audience often look in their magazines for advice and ideas as half of the year they create special editions for their readers.

Media language

1) What different examples of typography can you find on the cover of Tatler? What are the connotations of the serif and sans serif fonts? Here's a blog to help you with this as we haven't been able to complete the Photoshop typography lesson yet due to Covid-19.

The font that the Tatler magazine use is Serif this is probably because it is traditional and looks "Posh" which is matches with their audience. However they also use sans serif for the " new posh" which may suggest they want to change their audience to a more younger generation.

2) How do the cover lines appeal to the Tatler target audience?

It is a colourful/bright colour and it's a more modern text which can appeal to a younger audience more.

3) What are the connotations of the Tatler colour scheme on this particular front cover?

The connotations of this colour scheme is that it's more "feminine" and more for women as the colour scheme is like pink which stereotypically we link that colour to women.

4) How is the central image designed to create interest in the magazine? Find three reasons for your answer. (E.g. Mise-en-scene such as props, costume and make-up, body position, facial expression)

The women in the magazine is wearing very heavy makeup which catches the eye of the audience. She is wearing some accessories (necklaces) which interests the Tatler audience as they like expensive accessories. She is also wearing what can be considered "old fashioned" clothing which can interest the older generation of the Tatler audience.

Representations

1) What different groups of people are represented on the cover? (E.g. men/women/white people etc. Look at the image and text/cover lines to help here)

Models and celebrities are represented on the cover and mainly women as the central image is a women.

2) What do the cover lines suggest about the lifestyle of rich people in the UK?

The cover lines could suggest that rich people's lives are very posh and more focused on how they look/making sure they look fashionable.

3) Are there any stereotypes being reinforced or subverted? How? Why?

A stereotype that is being reinforced is that rich people only wear designer clothes and jewellery as they are wealthy. The model on the front cover is wearing expensive designer clothes and jewellery which supports my point.

4) What would be the preferred and oppositional readings to this cover of Tatler?

The preferred reading is that rich people wear this type of clothing and read these types of magazines but the oppositional reading is that unless you read this magazine or wear this clothing you cannot be considered wealthy/rich even if you are wealthy.

Social and cultural context

1) What aspects of British life or people are NOT reflected in Tatler? (Watch the clip above again if you need help with this - the clue is in the title 'Posh People')

The people who are in poverty or struggling to keep up with money and it doesn't reflect the middle and working class.

2) Tatler runs special issues on holidays, spa breaks, cosmetic surgery, watches and jewellery and private schools. What does this suggest about the magazine's representation of life in Britain?

The magazines representation of Britain is that it's posh and that mainly wealthy people live here however in reality most of the UK's population is in working class or poverty.

3) What audience groups might be offended or insulted by the front cover of Tatler April 2017? 

Working class or people in poverty might be offended by this front cover of Tatler as they they can't afford this type of expensive clothing and accessories.