Elle is a high style and fashion magazine for sophisticated affluent young women who are looking for glamorous ideas rather that fashion dictates. It is the largest multinational fashion magazine in the world with 32 international editions read in 55 countries by just under 5 million USA readers plus an additional 16 million readers worldwide. Elle has both flair and spirit that attracts its independent, stylish, self-confident women readers. Elle doesn't just report fashion news; it creates its own style and image and breaks some of the rules in the process.

The magazine began publishing in 1985. I read it regularly through the 80s when Elle MacPherson graced the pages for many years but then I grew tired of its pricey haute fashions that were well beyond my budget. Recently, some of the editorial content attracted my interest again and I began reading issues.

General Content

Inside the covers of Elle, readers will find runway fashion coverage, advice from celebrity hairstylists, the hottest new beauty treatments and products, health reports and practical fitness information. Receive head-to-toe beauty advice, help for wearing new trends/couture fashions, shopping "must have" ideas and creative use of accessory accents. Follow the relationship advice of a popular outspoken columnist who is witty and tells it like it is. Read entertaining interviews with the movers and shakers in our pop culture - a few interviews, however, are worthless. The interesting features and cover articles entertain readers with their unique focus on pop culture subjects; a few serious editorials occasionally round out the magazine. Issues are bigger than most women's magazines - usually around 200 pages.

Issues have a specific focus. They are often special Beauty Guides (April, Oct), Fashion Issues (seasonal,) Friendship/Love Specials (Feb) and good Investigative Reports like "What's in Your Food?" (March '02.) Other secondary focuses may be on resort destinations, holiday or non-holiday gifts, body sports or special money packages. There are also Exclusives like a recent survey on "Sex in the Workplace". Sometimes there are special separately bound mini supplements poly bagged with regular issues. These mini magazines contain expanded coverage on a particular area of interest. Past ones have been Elle Ultimate Road Trips (Oct ?99,) Elle Ultimate City Guide: Capitols of Style (April '00) and e.Elle (May & Dec '00.) A more recent extra supplement was April '02 premier edition of the Ultimate Bride.

Covers, Organization, Layout, Photography, Advertising

Most of the models on the glossy covers and in the magazine are well-established models with familiar faces or well-known actresses/celebrities. Sometime new models that haven't yet been discovered are featured inside the magazine. All the sexy models seem to have great bone structure, good skin and hair, plus they project personality and confidence. Recent successful covers have been on Milla Jovovich (May,) Jennifer Lopez (June,) Penélope Cruz (July,) Julia Stiles (Aug) and Sarah Jessica Parker (Sept.)

The Table of Contents is buried after 18 pages of ads. Flip through another three ad pages to find the rest of the contents. The magazine is organized into On the Cover, Fashion, Features, Beauty Health & Fitness and In Every Issue. The Table of Contents is neatly laid out but I found it difficult to locate articles because of all the unmarked pages. I also wish page numbers were listed on covers for easier reference. Many of the longer features and cover stories are continued in the back of the magazine but the shorter sections are completed on succeeding pages.

The magazine is printed on high quality paper. Most of the photography is fashion or product shots. Photographs and ads print well because of the high quality glossy pages. Magazine articles are artistically arranged and illustrated - many with sexy scantly clothed young models.

Elle ranks #42 among all magazines in total gross revenues. Cosmopolitan, In Style, Vogue and Glamour are all ranked higher. About 33% of the magazine is ads but it seems like so much more because many editorial pages look and sound just like ads. Even covers are often foldout ads and many ads are two page spreads. Ads are mainly for designer fashions/accessories, beauty products/services and other high-end consumer products. Most of the fashion ads seem to be selling sex as much as they are selling clothes. For those of you bothered by scent strips be aware that Elle issues often carry more than one.

Writers, Writing Style, Readership

The writers are nationally known and respected journalists. The writing is easy to read and straightforward. Humor is injected into catchy headings and editorial content-mainly in interviews and the advice column. There may be some references to four letter words in articles/interviews quoting celebrities.

The savvy readers of Elle are different from readers of other fashion magazines in both their attitude and behavior. Elle readers are very active consumers who posses a strong sense of individuality and self-confidence. They are highly educated, well traveled, ambitious in their careers and sophisticated shoppers. They want to be the first to have the latest high quality goods and they have the means to purchase them. The magazine targets these young affluent women ages 18-39. The median age of readers is 34.

Monthly Sections - Fashion

Take a sneak peak at the hottest new trends in the First Look section. Look inside the notebooks of editors for the hottest style news in Fashion Notebook. Check Jewels for chic collections of big, bold & beautiful jewelry, watches & accessories of all kinds. Inside Fashion has timely insider stories and profiles of the hot designers in the fashion world. Style Beat is the ultimate shopping guide. This month's issue, the Glamour Issue, tells readers that glamour is back-even casual clothing get a dressy edge. Get tips for suiting up in style with lots of photos for ideas on how to pull off wearing custom made suits that imitates men's styling. All the various Fashion Sections follow through on the return to glamour-Retro Romantic/Art Deco style themes. The coverage of the Fashion scene is top notch but many styles are just not appropriate or realistic for the average young woman to wear in her daily life. They may be the height of fashion in the entertainment and fashion worlds but they are not appropriate on the streets of cities or towns. And, they are too expensive.

The Art Deco jewelry can set you back a pretty penny. Bracelet can run $60,000, a ring,-$55,000, earrings-$6,950 and a chain-$18,000. I don't know about your budget but mine surely doesn't permit such purchases on a monthly basis - or even yearly basis. The beautiful bags have beautifully matching prices ranging from $390 - $2,950. To give you more of an idea of typical prices; pumps are $280-$680; jeans and tops can run $470-$750; dresses are $1,300; skirts are $250, while a belted jacket is $372. June's issue covers all the hottest summer fashions while the September issue has classic big knits, the perfect coats, boots and bags.

Beauty, Health & Fitness

Readers receive all the hottest new beauty news and trends in the Beauty News section. The magazine tells readers whether the finds are really helpful or worth a try. No prices are listed unfortunately. Beauty File has the month's beauty product "it list" containing essential products that are hot right now - again, no prices. For various activities, products and tips that will inspire or improve your workouts read Fitness File. Health Newsletter is one of my favorite sections. It contains several short articles on interesting medical and psychological news for women. Recently the Health section ran informative articles on popular diets covering Nutritional Value, Weight-Loss Potential & Effect on Mood and a thorough piece that discusses psychological factors in physical diseases. Sept '02 issue has a wonderful piece on the importance of exercise for sound mind and body.

There is also great advice in "Get the Most Beautiful Hair Ever" for low maintenance hair. Now the magazine really gets my attention! Readers learn that many women experience hair problems because they are always dieting. Hair needs a diet high in protein for healthy new growth and omega-3 fatty acids, which acts as a deep conditioner. Cold-water fish like tuna and salmon, high in both protein and omega-3, are suggested as the ultimate food for fuller hair. Don't over-wash your hair and leave about 25 percent of conditioner in your hair after you're done rinsing - I just learned something! Working WITH your hair's natural texture rather than fighting it, celebrity hair guru John Sahag says, is the secret to fabulous hair. (I gotta stop trying to turn my absolutely straight hair into curly or wavy hairdos.) Other advice, get a good cut with lots of layers. It's an excellent article.

Features

Find unique coverage of all the hot news in art, current events, dance, films, movies, music, politics, theater, TV and more in the entertaining First Buzz. Get reviews on some the best new books to read - no prices listed. Get Elle's pick's of the new releases and visit the Website for reader comments on the highlighted books. This is a great section.

Money Manager, although entertaining to read isn't really that helpful. There are interviews with celebrities on spending habits, retail stores sales reports, limited personal banking advice and very short book reviews. Some issues carry Secret Addresses which covers the best holiday destinations, Food - new trends in home cooking and dining out and It's My Party a short two-page fun piece on entertaining. In this month's Aug '02 issue covers a sophisticated Manhattan rooftop party with all The Fun, The Food, The Drinks. There are brief recipes and a collage of colorful small photos. Anyone want a Blue Wave and some Mojo Shrimp? (Calories and nutritional information are not provided but they are easy to prepare.) Other issues carry an Investigative Report which is always interesting, informative and lively coverage of a particular topic.

You must, of course, read the rambunctious E. Jean Carroll whose hip column, Ask E. Jean has been in 11 issues of Elle each year since around 1993 when Elle magazine sales began slipping and she was brought onboard to revive it. Hundreds of readers write her letters each month requesting advice. Her racy column is the best read feature of the magazine. This brash columnist once wrote for Playboy, Esquire and Outside magazines. She offers sexy, outspoken advice about relationships to confused Elle readers. The columnist is hilarious, wildly popular and freethinking. She has the guts and flair to give wise, common sense advice that is exactly what the reader needs to hear. She is like having an outspoken good friend who tells it to you straight. The former cheerleader/beauty queen urges women to use their beauty and feminine charm to get ahead in life. You must respect yourself, she tells readers. She loves using exclamation points.

Regardless of political leanings, readers interested in politics and the environment will enjoy the September '02 story "It's Not Easy Being Green." As a New Yorker, living so close geographically to NJ, I very much enjoyed this article on Christine Todd Whitman, New Jersey's first woman governor. She now heads the EPA and the article was most informative and thorough. Read about her childhood, personality, strength of character and conviction and how she is in the hot seat over her stands on global warming and air pollution issues. Less interesting to me is "Insert Here" a report on facial implants given to celebrities (Sept '02.) Learn how well they work and if they last.

There is often some feature dealing with sex to attract readers. The May '02 issue has a silly article called "The Princess of Pleasure." It is about the Mamma Gena's School of Womanly Arts. For $650, attendees can sign up for Goddess 101 where young women who address each other as goddesses brag about their accomplishments, and sexual exploits, draw pictures of the female anatomy and decorate their own - in class. Supposedly the women graduate feeling more self confident about themselves, their sexuality and learn to satisfy their self-needs for pleasure and fun. Okaay! Or, how about following along on a trip to Vegas to find out that sin is in on the strip ("Escape, Aug ?02)?

*The September '02 issue, which is just out on the newsstands now has another hot sexy story about a feisty couples therapist, Betty Dodson, who is best known for her masturbation workshops in the '70s. She actually goes into the bedroom with her clients and very directly instructs them in how to improve their lovemaking techniques and sexual communication. She holds the coaching sessions for couples in her NYC apartment and has a new book coming out this October called Orgasms for Two. The young man in the article, not surprisingly, experiences performance anxiety with the 72 year-old therapist watching his every move; the woman, though, has 5 orgasms. I can't believe people actually do this! If you are interested, it might be worth the $3.50 cover price to read the full story. It is certainly an interesting read! I felt like a voyeur reading it. My review title is the title of the article.

Celebrity stories make up the rest of Elle's features. This month there's a Feature story on Dr Phil McGraw, Oprah Winfrey's favorite shrink, whose own TV show will debut this fall. The article called "The DOCTOR is on!" is quite an entertaining read. Find out what other shrinks think of his brand of "shoot-from-the-hip" advice. Celebrity followers will enjoy the fairly interesting interview (Aug '02) with Blair Underwood star of "Full Frontal." Since I am not too interested in celebrity stories, I don't read most of them. I am, however, a faithful watcher of the hit HBO series Sex in the City and did enjoy the Sept '02 interview with the very pregnant Sarah Jessica Parker. Learn what she thinks about the city, sex and all the men in her life - past and present.

Unfortunately, a few of the magazine's interviews are downright silly and completely fluff pieces like the May '02 interview with Hugh Grant, "Hugh Grant's Got a Secret." The questions are stupid, the answers are ridiculous; halfway through, the interviewer tries to get Hugh drunk. The piece was so dumb; I didn't even find it entertaining. The actor starts out by stating that he lies about everything for no reason, so how can readers even trust his answers? He hates hearing the truth, he says. Do I care what he thinks if he doesn't tell the truth? Do you? I know the guy is funny but this interview is all drivel and why would one want to read further? As far as I am concerned the interview was a complete waste of space.

There's also an exclusive story in the Aug '02 issue about rapper Lisa Lopes's last days (she was tragically killed in an auto accident) and her relationship with her Honduran herbal healer. I can't believe she fell for his far-fetched views and foibles. And if you like reading about celebrities, maybe you will also enjoy Elle's annual list of the 25 hottest pop culture personalities (Sept '02.) I did not.

Departments

Every issue of Elle magazine carries: Masterheads ( listing of the editorial staff,) Editor's Page (introduction to each issue,) Mail Bonding (readers' letters,) Calendar (colorful page of events going on,) Shopping Guide, Numerology and Horoscope. The letters are particularly interesting. A few criticize the magazine's slant of the more serious stories it covers; readers don't hesitate to point out inaccuracies in articles. Sometimes the editor responds and attempts to clarify what is being discussed. Other letters praise the fashion spreads, models and cover stories. There is a believable balance between positive and negative letters.

Website, Publisher

Elle was the first magazine to launch a Website. Visit www.elle.com for a global outlook on fashion, beauty and style. About 80% of the Website content is original material not found in the magazine. There are original articles and interactive features. Get product information, beauty tricks and hints, magazine inspired fashion finds and insider fashion tips as well as viewing runway collections' key pieces, top fashion trends and city highlights. Find out what's in the coolest stores around the globe, see snapshots from the world's most fashionable cities and a behind-the-scenes peek at style and beauty secrets of cover models. Enter sweepstakes and participate in forums. Elle magazine makes good use of the Website which it is quick to load, easy to navigate and has plenty of good content for readers. There is good integration between magazine and Website.

Subscribe Online to Elle magazine and receive 12 issues (1 year) @ $14.00 and save 66% off the newsstand price. Although the Website says this is the best deal around, I found a better deal right inside the magazine. Subscribe through the postcard inside issues and receive 12 issues @ $10 and save 76% of the cover price. It is like receiving 9 issues free. Newsstand copies are $3.50. Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S, Inc. publishes the monthly publication Elle.

My Impressions

It seems as if many women's magazine today are selling sex and passing it off as fashion. It's hard to find women's lifestyle magazine that don't have the word sex written somewhere on the cover. Women complain that many men's magazines use sex to sell issues but women's magazines like Cosmopolitan, Elle, Mademoiselle, Vogue are just as bad. Many of the articles are about using seduction and manipulation in relationships. And I doubt if women readers really wear all the sexy revealing clothes illustrated in the magazines to impress other women; they are worn to attract male attention. The fashions show off the female figure in a very suggestive way that most ordinary women would not feel comfortable wearing to business or social events. And, these fashions will break almost everyone's budget but the ultra rich. I think Vogue is an even better high fashion magazine.

But, for the women who can afford the high-end goods, the magazine is a good source of fashion and beauty news. Elle helps them develop their own style and keeps them current to developing trends. I would only recommend the magazine to affluent young women especially in the entertainment, fashion or modeling fields who can get away with wearing the revealing, slinky outfits that the magazine highlights and who need to keep on top of the latest pop-culture trends. Less affluent young readers can perhaps use the information in issues and buy knock-offs of the styles that appeal to them. For the rest of us, I'd suggest maybe picking up an issue now and then to stay on top of seasonal trends. Better yet, check out your library for issues or visit the Elle Website.

Although I think the health coverage is fairly good, I am disappointed the Elle doesn't publish anti-smoking articles or information on lung cancer. In fact, the American Council on Science and Health, a few years ago, presented the "Poison Apple Award" to Elle magazine. The award is given for the most shocking example of promoting, endorsing and glamorizing a deadly product. Elle earned the award for actively encouraging cigarette use by its young female readers. Elle ran a promotion for "the ELLE cigarette case," billing this "handsome and sophisticated antique-like silverplated case" as "the stylish way to transport your favorite brand." By making this cigarette case an official magazine promotion, the editors of Elle endorsed cigarette smoking. Shouldn't Elle be telling women that lung cancer is now the leading cause of cancer mortality in women; that it is the number one cause of preventable death in the US? Shouldn't Elle be informing their YOUNG readers about the hazards of cigarette smoking to women of childbearing age - affecting fertility, leading to pregnancy complications, birth defects, SIDS and cervical cancer? Women now make up the majority of smokers but you won't read about any of this in Elle. Why?

On the other hand, Elle does a good job on raising awareness of dermatological conditions and encouraging healthy behavior in the care of hair, nails and skin. The American Academy of Dermatology has recognized Elle's outstanding achievements in this area. I feel that most of this coverage, however, promotes the interests of health spas, dermatology, ophthalmology and cosmetic surgery medical practices, holistic medicine, beauty and pharmaceutical companies who promote their services in the magazine.

Personally, I don't think I'll buy another issue. The fashions are generally unsuited for my suburban living and are too costly. I really am not interested in the celebrity gossip it covers and I get better health and fitness information from other sources.

If you like keeping on top of couture fashion, current releases in the different pop culture fields, reading celebrity stories and gossip and getting information on the latest beauty treatments and products then Elle may be for you. Check it out before ordering a subscription.



Recommended: No