Monday, February 21, 2011

Ladies

This is the cover of this month’s Woman’s World magazine, which I observed while in the checkout line of Safeway in Washington DC.  You can find it any place in the US.

Details | 2011

This magazine ---about the “the world of women,” -- Do women read it? It's still in every super market. From my early days, I could remember my grandmother subscribing to Woman's World, but I just don’t recall it looking this strange. What exactly are the editors shooting for here?

  • Anyone (man or woman) can be a "cover girl" with a delicate color correction
  • You, the customer in the checkout line, are on acid again this fine Tuesday in February
  • We (the magazine editors) believe a “woman’s world” should look a lot like the cover
  • Or just the simple thought: “A great week, made easy!”

The following week, I get off the train in Milan, in a station.

Now granted, the Italians have some strange advertising persuasions of their own. But somehow it was hard to miss the impact of the Italian Triumph depicted here. Was I memorized? Absolutely:


Details | 2011

As I walked down the platform, I noticed another ad, for some Italian toothpaste.

It occurred to me that perhaps the editors of Woman's World consulted on some of the design choices: the teeth appear appropriately white and this woman is apparently very content about that. It also looks like God is coming for a visit today. Teeth so white that you feel like you're traveling to another galaxy and God has your back. Far out.

Details | 2011


Feel free to comment away...

2 comments:

  1. That's Paula Dean. She obviously was in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Woman's World is simply trying to cash in on that ever so lucrative and, to date, elusive baby boomer Oompa Loompa market.

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  2. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I believe that the stunning model on the cover of Woman's World summarizes my ideal for the Perfect Female. OK, I tried. I also would like to know just what the editors were smoking, drinking, and inhaling...

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