Fashion Magazine Research- Marie Claire

Marie Claire was founded by French industrialist Jean Provost and first published in France in 1937 as a women’s weekly magazine. The goal was to present the realities of life along with fashion and beauty. After the war the magazine was re-launched as a monthly magazine in 1954. The first international edition of Marie Claire launched in Japan in 1982 and the magazine brand has since catered to children, home design and even garden design. Like Elle magazine, the central ideas behind the magazine were to empower women and as their freedom and rights began to increase. The magazine covers a range of topics including, health and beauty, fashion, careers and lifestyle articles. According to research and surveys, the median age of Marie Claire readers is 37.

The first issue of Marie Claire 1937

Current Feb 15 Marie Claire covers- US, Australia, Italia, UK. 

When comparing the latest covers of Marie Claire from different countries, a definite difference in styles and themes can be seen that match the countries. For example, the cover of Australian Marie Claire is light and vibrant in colour, depicting clean makeup and tousled hair relative to sunny Australia. However, Marie Claire Italia looks a lot more high fashion and looks to focus on fashion a lot more than health and lifestyle. The makeup, hair and clothing style juxtaposes with the Australian edition and looks to target an older and more sophisticated audience. The UK edition of Marie Claire also seems to target a younger audience by featuring Pixie Lott on the cover, using pink font and including topics on sex, phone apps and first dates. The US edition seems to target a more mature woman of the median age of 37 by featuring Gwyneth Paltrow on the cover alongside topics ranging from divorce to beauty finds.

When looking through the latest issue of Marie Claire UK, it appealed to me more than I thought it would as I discovered that the median age is said to be 37 years old. I think the UK edition definitely appeals to a younger audience that is aged 27 rather than 37 because the articles featured included wedding hair styles, fashionable bags under £100 and party makeup tips.

Important People
Founder- Jean Prouvost (1937)
Editor Marie Claire France- Arnaud de Contades
Editor Marie Claire UK- Marie O'Riordan
Editor Marie Claire US- Anna Fulenwider

References

First cover Marie Claire- Groupemarieclaire.com, (2015). [online] Available at: http://www.groupemarieclaire.com/_files_/Images_Historique/1937.jpg [Accessed 17 Jan. 2015].

Feb 15 Marie Claire US- Mac.h-cdn.co, (2015). [online] Available at: http://mac.h-cdn.co/assets/15/01/1600x2302/gallery_nrm_1420143584-gwyneth-paltrow-marie-claire-february-2015-cover.jpeg [Accessed 17 Jan. 2015].

Feb 15 Marie Claire Australia- Imgs.zinio.com, (2015). [online] Available at: http://imgs.zinio.com/dag/500614203/2015/416327602/cover.jpg?width=370 [Accessed 17 Jan. 2015].

Feb 15 Marie Claire Italia- I.models.com, (2015). [online] Available at: http://i.models.com/i/db/2015/1/336465/336465-800w.jpg [Accessed 17 Jan. 2015].

Feb 15 Marie Claire UK- Bryanmorelpr.co.uk, (2015). [online] Available at: http://bryanmorelpr.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Marie-Claire-Cover-FEB1.jpg [Accessed 17 Jan. 2015].

Info- News-magazines.knoji.com, (2015). Popular Women's Fashion Magazines. [online] Available at: https://news-magazines.knoji.com/top-5-womens-fashion-magazines/ [Accessed 19 Jan. 2015].

Info- Marieclairegroup.com, (2015). [online] Available at: http://www.marieclairegroup.com/pageEN_The+Group_Activities+and+diversification.html [Accessed 29 Jan. 2015].