GQ

• GQ


  Launched in 1931 as a quarterly publication called Gentleman's Quarterly, aimed specifically at fashion industry insiders. Rebranded in 1967 to GQ.
• GQ


  • Produced by Condé Nast, today GQ is a multi-platform brand. Each issue is published in print and digitally; it has its own acclaimed website and apps.
• British GQ


  Published monthly, sells itself as "The greatest magazine around. The men's magazine with an IQ. Whether it's fashion, sport, health, humour, politics or music, GQ covers it all with intelligence and imagination."
• GQ audience


  • Aimed at ABC1 men aged between 20 and 44, has a 212,000 monthly print readership, with online boasting over 2 million monthly unique users, and more than 2 million social media followers.
• GQ funding


  Funded by magazine sales and advertising, 88% of its audience have bought or plan to buy products they've seen in GQ and 93% of GQ's audience own designer fashion.
• Magazine cover


  • The branded masthead is conventionally placed in the top left-hand corner (Z-rule) and stands out with the choice of gold font, connoting luxury and exclusivity.
• Magazine cover


  • The limited colour palette of black, white, gold and orange create a sense of cohesion to the design, whilst also reinforcing the magazines messages of luxury, sophistication and masculinity.
• Magazine cover


  • Long shot of footballer and celebrity Raheem Sterling, ensuring the magazine has star appeal for the audience.
• Magazine cover


  • The cover price further reinforces this is a print magazine aimed at an ABC1 audience with disposable income.
• There was a conscious decision to aim the magazine cover at men who are interested in fashion, celebrity, politics, music and sport.
• Raheem Sterling on cover

  • Looking directly at the audience, seemingly making eye contact. This is a common convention of magazines and helps to add to the more personal approach of this format. His cool, relaxed gaze and slight smile looks down at the reader, suggesting he should be admired, looked up to.
• Raheem Sterling's appearance


  • His leather combat trousers and boots are more high fashion than practical and connote luxury and masculinity, whilst also indicating to readers that GQ is a lifestyle magazine.
• "Guardian Angel"


  Multiple connotations, including a sense of guidance and protection, suggesting he is looking after players and the values of the game by rooting out racism. The idea that he is doing morally good work is reinforced through his black angel wings and cross tattoo.
• "How to wear a broken suit" and "Why it's finally OK to own a belt bag"


  The magazine's target audience is interested in fashion and aesthetics, and the magazine provides advice on how to be fashionable.
• "GQ Heroes"


  • "All the sizzle" implies gossip and celebrity intrigue, while the term "exclusive" suggests the reader won't be able to find it anywhere else and they need to purchase the magazine to be in on the secrets.
• "Westminster has become a living nightmare. Andy Burnham's Manchester masterplan."


  The hyperbolic language is a reference to the elected Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, who is calling for more devolved power to be given to cities rather than held by the government in London. By including some serious journalism, as well as entertainment and fashion advice, the magazine is broadening its offering for its audience members.
• Historically, British black men have been under-represented on magazine front covers due to systemic racism within the industry.
• Vogue appointed editor Edward Enninful in 2017, who has turned one of the nation's most respected fashion magazines into a celebration of all beauty, including blackness.
• Metrosexual


  In the early 2000s it became more socially acceptable for men to openly care about their looks, clothing and skincare regime. Men's magazines embraced this through their content and advertising.
• Spornosexuals


  Men who are extremely body focused.
• In 2018, Raheem Sterling took to social media to highlight racism in the British press, using his platform to call out racial inequality.
• The importance of body image and consumerism doesn't change just because of gender.
• Hollywood's representation of race and ethnicity has shifted significantly over the decades, with events like the #OscarsSoWhite campaign and the killing of George Floyd prompting audiences to question what they are seeing