21. Teen Vogue Magazine

Teen Vogue Magazine

Editor-in-chief Amy Astley

May 2011

144 p.

Summary

Teen Vogue features articles on celebrities, fashion, entertainment, and teen issues.  After browsing through 11 pages of advertisements and perfume samples, the reader finally comes to the table of contents, getting a quick overview of what she is to expect as she turns the pages.  Five more pages of ads separate the first page of the table of contents from the second.  The reader doesn’t reach a substantial article until page 34—a piece titled “Cover Look” that lets the reader know what makeup tools were used on this month’s cover girl, Jennifer Lawrence.  The magazine features three blogging columns, focusing on style, fashion, and music that specifically cater to teens’ interests.  Multiple articles discuss celebrity fashion, including the eco-friendly choices of Stella McCartney and Natalie Portman.  Even though the majority of the magazine focuses on models and celebrities, there is a feature article that discusses social sabotage, in which teens talk about the ways that friends have turned on them.  Overall, the magazine is mostly aimed toward teen girls, especially those interested in fashion.

Critical Evaluation

When first picking up Teen Vogue, I noticed the similarities between it and its parent magazine—tons of advertisements and the remnants of some vague scent created from the handful of perfume samples hidden inside.   Although the magazine cover resembles those of others for teen girls, the magazine’s size makes it stand out.  More compact than the rest—almost book-sized—Teen Vogue looks like a magazine that would be easy to carry around in a purse, perhaps adding to its appeal to readers.  However, just like with Vogue, the ads can get to be a bit too much, making it difficult to distinguish where the magazine begins.  On the other hand, the fashion ads may appeal to teens that are interested in the newest designer trends and, therefore, may also add to the appeal.  When first spotting the magazine on the shelf, the bright colors make it visually pleasing, likely because of the theme of spring.  This particular issue features a music special, introducing teens to the newest, hottest musicians out there and keeping up with music trends.  While the majority of the magazine appears more entertainment and fashion-driven, the inclusion of an article on teen issues provides teen girls with a place to see themselves in stories that may represent similar problems to their own.  Of all of the articles, there are very few that consist of more than a few paragraphs, reflecting teens’ need for magazines to get to the point and attract their attention from the beginning.  In total, Teen Vogue looks to provide teen girls with advice on several different topics, while also including the gorgeous pictures of fashion for which Vogue has become so famous.

Reader's Annotation

Teen Vogue covers topics ranging from music to fashion to teen issues, all in a compact, shiny package.

Information About the Editor

Amy Astley is the editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, which launched in January 2003. She was named to edit the new magazine in June 2002 by Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue and editorial director of Teen Vogue.  A graduate of East Lansing High School, Astley holds a B.A. in English Literature from the Honors College of Michigan State University. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and their two children.

While Astley was heading up Teen Vogue, the American Society of Magazine Editors nominated Teen Vogue for a 2003 General Excellence Award in the 250,000-500,000 circulation category. In addition, Teen Vogue was named Adweek magazine's 2004 Startup of the Year. Teen Vogue's circulation rate base increased to 900,000 with the October 2006 issue from its previous level of 850,000.  (information from editor’s Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Astley)

Genre

Young Adult - Fashion/Celebrity/Music/Beauty/Teen Issues

Curriculum Ties

N/A

Booktalking Ideas

1. Focus on the use of fashion in appealing to teen girls.

2. Identify the diversity of topics included in the magazine.

3. Discuss the importance of music in the issue.

4. Tell about the potential conflicts caused by the overwhelming amount of ads.

Reading Level/Interest Age

13+

Challenge Issues

I cannot think of any potential challenges related to this magazine.

However, when confronted with complaints about this magazine, librarians should become familiar with the material and its content.  Turn to reviews listed on Amazon.com, as well as reviews from teens that have read the magazine.  Also, it is beneficial for librarians to present reasons backed by the ALA in support of intellectual freedom.  As stated in the Library Bill of Rights:

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Why Include Magazine in Selection? 

I wanted to include a number of magazines in my collection and this one caught my eye.