In this July 2012 magazine cover,
Vanity Fair has attempted to illustrate the Columbian actress and model, Sofia
Vergara, as a modern sex symbol. She is
pictured sitting on a vintage looking chair with her legs open, wearing a long,
red, strapless silk dress and holding a cigarette in her right hand near her
mouth. The actress and model is positioned in the middle of the page covering a
little bit of the magazine name. Her name is almost the same size as the
magazine name and bigger than the other two pieces of text on the cover, making
it obvious that she is the most important element of the cover. This magazine
issue could be targeted at both men and woman because it shows a sexy side of
Sofia Vergara which appeals mostly to men, but also a powerful and demanding
side of her which appeals to woman because that is the type of woman most want
to be like.
In my opinion, Vanity
Fair chose Sofia Vergara as the cover model for this issue in order to
represent the women of today’s society. Over the years, women’s roles have
changed significantly. Now, women are considered to be equal and sometimes even
more successful than men. In today’s society, women have been seen as powerful
because of the multiple roles they play in their daily lives. While being housewives
and caring for their children, most women are also professionals, just like the
actress, Sofia Vergara who is a mother of a 19 year old boy. In addition, women
are also expected to have time for their own upkeep, in order to look beautiful
and sexy, which is also something that is represented by this cover. This cover
also symbolizes equality between men and women because Sofia Vergara is holding
a cigarette and seating with her legs open, which is mostly seen as a manly
habit.
To cut a long story
short, Sofia Vergara is on the cover of Vanity Fair to compare how women were
seen before to the powerful, sensual, and successful woman of today’s society.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with nearly everything that was written and analyzed in this post. This post can be targeted both towards men and women. Most men will of course be attracted to the cover because of the level of sex appeal of the model advertized. However, the sex appeal represented in this magazine cover will attract men whose ages range from teens up to forties or even fifties. Vanity Fair uses a less risqué type of sex appeal in order to target a larger range of men. This differs extremely from the type of sex appeal that is used in the magazines today, such as Sports Illustrated.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that women are largely targeted by Vanity Fair in this magazine. The model advertises symbolizes the power of women these days. It shows how much a woman can accomplish own her own. It shows that women can depend on themselves instead of others. Regardless, sex appeal is not the only thing that Vanity Fair used to attract readers.
All in all, Vanity Fair did a great job to gain readers with this magazine. They targeted a very wide range of people increasing the chance of good publicity. A very well written analysis. Good Job!
I totally agree with everything you have said about this magazine cover. It appeals to both the male and female audience because men want to see women who are considered sexy and attractive, and women want to see other women who are powerful and independent. Women are inspired by other women on magazine covers. Also, I agree with your opinion that they chose her as the model to represent the women of today as being dominant, independent, and powerful. Sofia Vergara's "manly" position of smoking with her legs open portrays her dominance and shows that she's powerful and equal to men. Cassandra, you did a good job with this analysis ! (:
ReplyDeleteI also agree with your analysis of the cover shot. It does appeal to both men and women like you said because men are attracted to Ms. Vergara for her physical beauty and women are attracted by the cover because it gives them an image to be inspired by. It breaks that stereotype that women are supposed to be proper and lady like and that they men are always dominant. Today we see powerful women everywhere: in work environments, in the music industry, and even in the government. I also like what you said about her posture and about the cigarette in her hand. Like you said, smoking is seen more as a masculine activity and the fact that Sofia is smoking a cigarette while looking seductively into the camera displays both her femininity and her masculinity. I agree about what you said about women fitting into the housewife stereotype and this cover shatters that stereotype because not only does she look very good, but she also looks like she is demanding something. I don’t really know much about Vanity Fair, but I’m assuming it’s a clothing magazine and I like the contrast of elegant and proper with the dress and laid-back aspect with the cigarette and sitting posture.
ReplyDeleteGreat Job on the analysis!
I think that this was a great analysis. I didn't really realize that this cover could show society how much the world has changed and how women are viewed equally to men. I am glad that you pointed that out. I agree that the fact that she is a working mother and she can still sit back at relax. What I noticed about this cover is her positioning. She looks so confident with her chin up and the cigarette to her mouth. She seems very proud. And the fact that she is sitting on a chair with her legs open reminds me of how a lot of men sit while they are sitting and relaxing with a cigar in their hands. You could take Sofia out of the shot and put a man on the cover sitting in the same position and it wouldn't look strange. I think that the reason why Vanity Fair decided to have Sofia pose like this for the cover is to be inspiring for women all around the world. I say all around the world because the Magazine is written in spanish. I know that they are trying to portray that she can take on anything a man can, but I do like how Vanity Fair has her wearing a gorgeous red dress showing her feminine side as well.
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