The Gentlewoman: Audience and Industries

 The Gentlewoman: Audience and Industries blog tasks

There are five reasonably short tasks for The Gentlewoman - Audience and Industries plus some optional extension work for those aiming for the very top grades. Create a blogpost called 'The Gentlewoman: Audience and Industries' and work through the following:

1) Media Magazine feature: Pleasures of The Gentlewoman

Go to our Media Magazine archive and read the article on The Gentlewoman (MM84 - page 34). Answer the following questions:

1) What does the article suggest is different about the Gentlewoman compared to traditional women's magazines? 

The article suggests that The Gentlewoman stands out because it doesn’t follow the usual formula of glossy glamour and predictable design that you often see in traditional women’s magazines. Instead, it creates its own unique world and aesthetic, so different that you’d never confuse it with the others even at a glance in a dentist’s waiting room.

2) What representations are offered in the Gentlewoman?  

The magazine presents a broad and diverse view of womanhood, focusing almost entirely on women and deliberately choosing a wide range of subjects. It aims to reflect different types of modern femininity beyond the usual stereotypes.

3) List the key statistics in the article on the average reader of the magazine. 

85% of the audience are women

61% are aged 28–46

47% fall into the A or B social grades according to the UK’s NRS demographic system

4) What is The Gentlewoman Club? 

It’s an international community of like-minded women and men who appreciate quality and originality in culture and events. While it genuinely helps to connect people and strengthen reader loyalty, it also cleverly markets products to an affluent audience in a subtle, personalised way.

5) What theorists does it suggest we can apply to the Gentlewoman's club?

David Gauntlett theories on identity creation through media help explain how readers interact with the Club and the brand.

6) What does the writer of article suggest they are getting out of their relationship with the magazine?

They feel like part of something exclusive and curated, a club where they meet like-minded people. It creates a personal connection to the magazine and offers real-life experiences beyond just reading content.

7) Who are the team behind the magazine?

The Gentlewoman was created by Gert Jonkers and Jop van Bennekom, a small but influential team known for launching other unconventional and boundary-pushing publications.

8) How does the Gentlewoman use their website and social media to promote the magazine? 

The magazine uses its digital platforms to give a taste of its content, just enough to attract readers while still encouraging them to buy the print version. Its minimalist, stylish online presence and active social media use help build brand identity and deepen the reader connection.

9) What are the 'creative collaborations' in the magazine? How do they 'spill over into real life'?

These collaborations, essentially forms of native advertising see brands working with The Gentlewoman’s own writers and photographers. They go beyond the magazine with real-life events for Club members, blending content, marketing, and experience seamlessly.

10) How does the article sum up the audience pleasures of the Gentlewoman? 

The magazine isn’t made for everyone, and that’s part of its charm. Its exclusivity and high-quality design give it cult appeal, offering the pleasure of feeling ‘in the know’ and part of a stylish, intellectual community.

2) The Gentlewoman Media kit

Look through The Gentlewoman's Media Kit and answer the following questions:

1) How does the Media Kit introduce the magazine?

It describes The Gentlewoman as the go-to style magazine for the modern woman: intelligent, stylish, and purposeful. It’s praised for redefining women’s magazines with outstanding writing and fashion photography.

2) On the 'Digital' page, what different sections of the website are there and how do these offer opportunities for audience engagement and interaction? 

Sections include: Library, Club, Magazine, Collaborations, and Shop. The Club section stands out—it features interviews and questionnaires with high-profile women across creative industries, inviting readers into a deeper, more interactive experience.

3) What are the audience demographics for The Gentlewoman?

Median age: 32

61% are aged 28–46

85% women / 15% men

76% in ABC1 demographic

Average income: £87,255

4) What is The Gentlewoman Club and what does it offer readers?

It’s a global network of around 39,000 readers who get access to exclusive cultural events. These events are promoted through newsletters and social media, making readers feel part of a curated, sophisticated community.

5) What Creative Collaborations

These are branded partnerships shaped by The Gentlewoman’s distinctive voice. They include photography, video, print inserts, digital content, and live events, providing innovative ways for brands to connect with readers.

3) D&AD Award Winner feature

Read this short D&AD advertising agency award feature on The Gentlewoman. Answer the following questions:

1) How is the magazine described?

It’s described as a celebration of modern women with a strong sense of purpose and style. The tone is intelligent, and the content offers a fresh, thoughtful take on fashion.

2) What does it say about the content and design of The Gentlewoman?

It blends editorial content with outstanding photography and evolving design. New layouts and typography keep the magazine feeling fresh while maintaining its identity.

3) How are the readers described?

As stylish, confident, and intelligent—exactly the type of reader the magazine aims to attract.

4) Business of Fashion website feature 

Read this Business of Fashion feature on The Gentlewoman - the magazine that is also a club. If you don't want to sign up to the website (free) then you can access the text of the article on Google Drive here (you'll need your Greenford Google login). Answer the following questions: 

1) What events are listed as part of The Gentlewoman Club?

Events include exclusive gatherings like a Club card night at the Savile Club with Browns Fashion and an architectural tour in LA.

2) Why does it suggest the magazine has managed to 'cut through the clutter'?

By offering a smart and cultured approach to fashion, aimed at a niche audience of thoughtful and tasteful women, The Gentlewoman has created a clear identity in a crowded market.

3) How are Gentlewoman Club tickets given out? 

Club events are free but exclusive. Readers sign up online, and attendees are hand-picked, making it feel like an intimate and curated experience.

4) What does the article say about The Gentlewoman's relationship with its audience? 

The events attract readers who come alone, expecting to meet others—this builds a friendly, welcoming vibe and strengthens community ties.

5) Why are Club events valuable from a digital perspective? 

They naturally generate high-quality content that can be shared online between print issues, helping to keep the magazine relevant and visible year-round.

5) Website and social media research

1) Visit The Gentlewoman's website. How does it promote the magazine? 

It showcases different sections like the Library, Club, Shop, and Collaborations, giving visitors a feel for the brand and a reason to explore beyond just the print edition.

2) Visit the magazine page of the website. How much of the magazine is available to view online? Is this a smart marketing technique to sell print copies or is it giving content away for free? 

Quite a bit is available for free, which is a smart marketing move—it gives readers a taste of the content, encouraging them to invest in the print edition for the full experience.

3) Look at The Gentlewoman's Twitter feed. What content from the magazine or Club events can you find on there? 

It features images from Club events and magazine shoots, keeping followers engaged and offering visual glimpses into the brand’s stylish world.

4) Go to The Gentlewoman's Instagram page. How does it encourage the audience to engage with the magazine? 

Posts often invite comments and interaction. Followers are encouraged to share their thoughts, building a sense of dialogue and community around the content.

5) What representations of fashion and gender can you find on their Instagram page? 

There’s strong representation of diverse women across different backgrounds and careers. The magazine’s fashion coverage highlights individuality and personal style over traditional beauty standards.

A/A* extension tasks

Read this extensive interview with Penny Martin in the New Zealand Herald. It covers every aspect of the magazine and wider cultural contexts - essential reading if you want that A*. 

If you're interested in design and how the media is becoming increasingly digital then this in-depth Medium feature is great. It's a case study from a designer who converted an issue of The Gentlewoman from print to digital as a design project. Reading this will give you a really in-depth understanding of the construction, design and overall look and feel of your CSP as well as an introduction to website building and graphic design.